Tudor Dynasty Overview

Overview

This lecture details the rise and fall of the Tudor dynasty, emphasizing its accidental origins, dramatic power struggles, religious upheaval, and transformation of England into a modern state.

Origins of the Tudor Dynasty

• The Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) devastated England and led to the rise of Henry Tudor.
• Henry VII claimed the throne after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
• He united Lancaster and York by marrying Elizabeth of York, founding the Tudor dynasty.

Henry VII's Reforms and Legacy

• Henry VII strengthened royal power through fiscal discipline, limited noble power, and legal innovations like the Court of Star Chamber.
• He created symbols like the Tudor rose and used marriage alliances to secure peace with Spain and Scotland.
• His reign brought stability and left a well-funded treasury to his son.

Henry VIII: Personality and Early Reign

• Henry VIII began as a Renaissance prince: educated, athletic, cultured, and eager for glory.
• He married Catherine of Aragon, reinforcing Spain-England alliance.
• Early military campaigns in France and victory over Scotland at Flodden Field boosted his prestige.

The English Reformation

• Henry VIII, desperate for a male heir, broke from the Catholic Church after failing to annul his marriage to Catherine.
• Parliamentary Acts (1532-1534) made Henry head of the Church of England (Act of Supremacy).
• Dissolution of the monasteries transferred huge wealth and land from church to crown.

Anne Boleyn and Religious Change

• Anne Boleyn influenced court religious reform and was crowned queen after Henry’s marriage to Catherine was annulled.
• Gave birth to Elizabeth I, but failed to produce a male heir; executed in 1536 on dubious charges.

Later Henry VIII: Tyranny and Succession

• Henry’s later years saw physical and psychological decline, erratic behavior, and several wives.
• Executions eliminated potential rivals and dissent.
• Act of Succession established Edward, then Mary, then Elizabeth as heirs.

Edward VI and Protestant Reform

• Edward VI’s regents deepened Protestant reforms (Book of Common Prayer, English services).
• Resistance included the Prayer Book Rebellion.
• Edward’s "Device for the Succession" sought to skip Mary and Elizabeth for Lady Jane Grey, but failed.

Mary I: Catholic Restoration

• Mary restored papal authority and Catholicism, married Philip II of Spain, and persecuted Protestants ("Bloody Mary").
• Her reign was marked by crisis, failed pregnancies, and public unrest.

Elizabeth I: Settlement and Golden Age

• Elizabeth established the Religious Settlement: moderate Protestantism, Anglican Church (Act of Supremacy and Uniformity).
• Navigated threats from Mary, Queen of Scots, and Catholic plots; Mary executed in 1587.
• Defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, boosting national pride and security.

Cultural and Political Achievements

• Elizabeth’s reign saw a cultural flowering (Shakespeare, Marlowe, poetry, exploration).
• England’s national identity crystallized around Protestantism, maritime ambition, and English culture.
• Despite late financial and political difficulties, her death in 1603 led to a peaceful succession.

End of the Tudors and Legacy

• James VI of Scotland succeeded as James I, uniting the crowns.
• The Tudors left a centralized state, religious settlement, and cultural legacy influencing future Britain.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Wars of the Roses — Civil wars between Lancaster and York for the English throne.
• Act of Supremacy — Law making the monarch head of the Church of England.
• Dissolution of the Monasteries — The closure and asset seizure of monastic institutions under Henry VIII.
• Book of Common Prayer — Standardized English-language prayer book introduced by Edward VI.
• Religious Settlement — Elizabeth I’s policy creating a moderate Protestant Church of England.
• Spanish Armada — Spanish fleet defeated by England in 1588.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the Tudor monarchs and their key policies for the next class.
• Read about the cultural impact of the Elizabethan era.
• Prepare a timeline of major religious changes under the Tudors.