History has never been my strong suit but the BBC’s historical dramas and documentaries certainly make British history more interesting and fun.

Recently I watched a documentary about Henry VII on BBC ‘Henry VII Winter King’ which I found to be interesting and from a marketing and branding perspective very eye opening. This documentary is no longer available on the BBC website but you can watch on YouTube.

Most people know that Henry VII ended the Wars of the Roses when he seized the crown in 1485 and founded the Tudor dynasty but did you know he was a branding master?

When Henry VII combined the Red Rose of Lancaster with the White Rose of York he created the Tudor Rose, a.k.a. Tudor brand. He used this brand emblem to stamp his mark all over the England. The Tudor Rose can be found at Westminster Abbey, The Round Table at Winchester, wrought iron gates and many other places. If you start to look around I am pretty sure that you will notice it.

Henry VII was not the first ruler to leave his trademark but one thing you can say is that the Tudor rose has endured. It is still used today as the badge of England.

Just like the Nike Swoosh, that is is what I call branding.