The Tudors: Kings and Queens of England (Part 5)

The Rise of the House of Tudor

• The War of the Roses concluded in 1485 at Bosworth Field.
• Richard III was killed, and Henry VII became king, marking the rise of the Tudor dynasty.
• Henry VII married Elizabeth of York, uniting the red and white roses.
• Henry VII dealt with various impostors and solidified his rule by executing many.
• He spread propaganda against Richard III and was succeeded by his son, Henry VIII.

Henry VIII's Reign

• Known for his appetites for both food and women.
• Originally popular for reducing taxes and executing unpopular ministers.
• Married Catherine of Aragon, his brother's widow, but divorced her due to lack of a male heir.
• Used Protestant Reformation to create the Church of England and granted himself a divorce.
• Married Anne Boleyn and had a daughter, Elizabeth.
• After Anne's execution, Henry married Jane Seymour who bore him a son, Edward.
• Subsequent marriages:
  • Anne of Cleves: marriage annulled.
  • Catherine Howard: executed for adultery.
  • Catherine Parr: survived Henry.
• Henry's death in 1547 left the throne to his son, Edward VI.

Edward VI

• Ruled as a Protestant king from the age of 9.
• Introduced the Book of Common Prayer.
• Named Lady Jane Grey as heir, but she reigned for only nine days due to political scheming.

Mary I (Bloody Mary)

• Returned England to Catholicism, burning 280 Protestants at the stake.
• Married Philip II of Spain but had no children.
• Died, likely of uterine cancer, at age 42.

Elizabeth I (The Virgin Queen)

• Elizabeth avoided plots during Mary’s reign and became queen at 25.
• Promoted religious tolerance but faced Catholic assassination attempts.
• Refused to marry, leading to her title as "The Virgin Queen."
• Led the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
• Her reign saw economic prosperity and flourishing of arts, notable figures include Shakespeare.
• Longest reigning Tudor, died childless, ending the Tudor line.

Contributions and Legacy

• The Tudor period saw significant religious, cultural, and political changes.
• Notable arts and literature flourished.
• Set the stage for the later British Empire.

Key Themes

• Consolidation and centralization of power.
• Religious reformations and conflicts.
• Influence on arts and culture.
• Political marriages and alliances.

The Tudor era ended with Elizabeth I, leading to questions about succession and the future of the English monarchy.