Four things you need to know about the real Henry VII from ‘The White Princess’

Henry Tudor is struggling to keep control of England in “The White Princess.” Perkin Warbeck, who is claiming to be Richard, Duke of York, is gaining support from those who want the House of York back on the throne. Lizzie is starting to trust the man, but that is tearing her and Henry apart.

Is this what really happened in history? Here are four things that you need to know about the real Henry VII of England that “The White Princess” isn’t necessarily going to show.

Henry VII struggled with more than one pretender

There were plenty of pretenders to the English throne.

Some of them claimed to be Richard, Duke of York and others opted for slightly less dangerous figures from history. One of the most commonly forgotten about is Lambert Simnel.

This young boy pretended to be Edward of Warwick, the son of the disgraced and executed George, Duke of Clarence. While the York leaders who wanted to put him on the throne wanted Lambert to pretend he was Richard, the young boy chose Edward instead.

Henry didn’t execute all pretenders

While there were plenty of people Henry VII did execute, one particular pretender wasn’t one of them. The aforementioned Lambert was spared. Henry Tudor realized that this boy wasn’t the mastermind in the rebellion and more of a pawn for the Yorkist soldiers.

He chose to make Lambert a member of the royal kitchen.

However, Henry did execute a number of people connected to rebellions. One of those was Edward of Warwick. Viewed as a threat, Henry VII decided to execute him in 1499.

Arthur’s name was already decided

Lizzie gave birth of Arthur Tudor in “The White Princess” and was pregnant with him at the time of her marriage to Henry.

This is very likely possible, as Lizzie gave birth to her first son eight months after her marriage to Henry.

The real Arthur’s name had been pre-decided long before Lizzie gave birth to him. Henry VII wanted a name that would be strong and supported in England. This was a time that the legend of King Arthur was extremely popular, so England loved the idea of a new King Arthur coming to the throne.

Henry caring for Lizzie in ‘The White Princess’ is likely true

While historians will never know the true feelings between Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, it is likely that they cared for and respected each other. They may have even fallen in love. The relationship building in “The White Princess” is likely true to a point.

In history, Henry VII never remarried after Elizabeth Of York’s death in 1502. There were talks of marriage, but he died an unmarried widower in 1509.