Despite his short life, Henry VII was successful in restoring peace and order to England following the destruction inflicted by the War of the Roses. He was able to get things done in a timely and kind manner as the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty to rule England.
Henry VII was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey in 1509, behind a monument beneath the Lady Chapel. Because he was so passionate about the chapel, it says that he even stated his desire to be buried there when the chapel’s funding was being disputed!
Reginald Bray, the man responsible for restoring Richard III’s throne to England, also designed the chapel. Henry VII and Elizabeth of York were the first royal couple to be buried in a vault beneath Westminster Abbey. Henry VII, sometimes known as “Henry of Lancaster,” was laid to rest with all the rituals and honours befitting his status as the founder monarch of the Tudor dynasty and the victor of the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Henry VII’s embalmed remains was brought from Richmond Palace to St. George’s Field, which is located south of the River Thames, on May 9, 1509. It was greeted by clerics there. This cathedral leaves an indelible impact. St. Paul’s Cathedral in London stands apart as the city’s solitary Gothic-style cathedral, in addition to its spectacular architecture and gorgeous stained glass windows.
Following that, the body was carried to Westminster Abbey, where it was interred the following day, following another ceremony. Following the ceremony, a knight arrived on horseback donning the former monarch’s armour. The monks moved the armour and then unbuckled it piece by piece before repositioning it on the altar.
During the first two years of his reign, Henry VIII approached a number of painters and asked them to draught a design for a grave adornment honouring his parents.
In order to do this, Henry VIII commissioned the Italian artist Pietro Torrigiano in 1512. Because of his training in Florence and his aggressive nature, he appeared to be a good candidate for the role. Michelangelo irritated him on occasion, even punching him in the face.
Michelangelo’s friend Giorgio Vasari suggested that the attack occurred because Torrigiano was envious of Michelangelo’s success as a modern artist due to Torrigiano’s competitiveness with Michelangelo. Torrigiano agreed to create a mausoleum for Henry VIII’s parents and was awarded the commission. Following that, he addressed Benvenuto Cellini and asked for his aid with the project due to its importance. Cellini declined the offer because he did not want to work with Torrigiano again. Torrigiano spent four years sketching the tomb in Renaissance style. When he was finally satisfied with his efforts, he decided to call it quits.
The monument had a black marble base and was adorned on both ends with the coats of arms of King Henry VII II and his wife Elizabeth. Cherubs carried the coats of arms. Six copper and gold medallions adorn the sides of the tomb. These medallions depict a variety of saints as well as the Virgin Mary. Saints like Saint Edward the Confessor, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint John the Evangelist are among them. The black marble mausoleum is topped with bronze effigies of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York praying while lying on their backs atop the grave.
