1497- The Cornish Revolt

Also known as the Cornish Rebellion or Uprising, the 1497 Cornish Revolt came about, in part, because Scotland was supporting Perkin Warbeck's claim to the English throne.

When Scotland threatened to invade England on Warbeck's behalf, Henry was advised to raise taxes in order to suppress the invasion. As ever, a raise in taxes did not go down well, particularly so in Cornwall, whose inhabitants are so far removed from the Scottish border that they begrudged this drain on their finances.

The Cornish people refused to pay, and formed an uprising led by three men: Micheal Joseph (a blacksmith), Thomas Flamank (a lawyer), and Lord Audley.

The rebels marched towards London gathering support on the way; totalling around 15,000 by the time they reached the capital.

Henry VII, distracted by foreign policy with Scotland, was surprised that the rebels were able to progress this far. His army of 25,000 met the rebels on 17 June at Blackheath and quashed the rebellion.

Around 1,000 of those involved in the revolt were killed that day and many others fled. Unusually perhaps for 'Second-chance Henry', the three leaders were swiftly executed - within a month. Years of further investigation followed and the rebels were caught and fined.

Though this incident never posed a dramatic risk to Henry, it was unnerving how far the uprising progressed without opposition.