Final answer:
Henry VII was able to keep the throne during his first year of reign by relying on a middle-class council instead of Parliament, using diplomacy instead of war, and employing the Star Chamber to deal with recalcitrant nobles.
Step-by-step explanation:
During Henry VII's first year of reign, he was able to keep the throne for three reasons:
- He relied on a royal council composed mostly of men from the middle class instead of on Parliament, which undercut the influence of the English aristocracy.
- He used diplomacy instead of war to smooth over problems with other nations, meaning he didn't have to call Parliament into session to secure funds for his ventures.
- His governing council dealt with recalcitrant nobles by using the Star Chamber, a judicial body that undermined traditions of English common law, and by promoting the interests of the middle class.