The Tudor Dynasty
1485-1603
The Beginning Henry VII (r. 1485-1509)
Used diplomacy, avoided war, & strengthened England’s interest abroad
Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547) Made England a great naval power Married 6 times Broke with Catholic Church & started the Church
of EnglandSeized monastery lands & sold to wealthy landowners
House of Commons increased its power during this reign
Edward VI (r. 1547-1553)
Only 9 years old when he became kingWas advised by Protestant leaders
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury
England was in a time of turmoilEdward died at the age of 15
Mary I (r. 1553-1558)(Bloody Mary)Married Philip II of Spain in 1554
Met strong opposition in EnglandRestored Catholicism in 1555
Had about 300 Protestants burned at the stake for heresy
Involved England in a war with France England lost the port of Calais
Mary died childless & the throne went to her sister
Elizabeth I (r. 1558-1603) Became queen at the age of 25 Used her authority for the common good of
her people Earned the loyalty and confidence of her
subjects Her reign was one of England’s great
cultural periods. She strongly supported the arts, e.g. the
theater and Shakespeare The English language was transformed into
one of beauty, grace, vigor, and clarity
The Marriage QuestionIt was expected that Elizabeth would
marry & her husband would rule. Women were not considered able to be
good monarchsShe felt marrying a foreign prince
would endanger EnglandMarrying an English nobleman would
cause jealousies among the othersIn the end she refused to marry &
therefore would produce no heir
Think (Write), Pair, Share
Why would Elizabeth think that marrying a foreign prince would put England at risk?
Elizabeth I and Parliament Was assisted by a council of nobles
They handled much of the administrative duties They were assisted by professional, poorly paid
bureaucrats Parliament did not have the power to
initiate legislation Could plead, urge, advise, and withhold approval
Law enforcement was by justices of the peace & were volunteer positions Maintained peace, collected taxes, & kept
government informed of local conditions.
Social Policy
Social rank Queen and her court Prominent nobles from landed families Gentry
Lesser nobles, merchants, lawyers, & clergy Yeomen
Farmers with small land holdings & laborers
Economic PolicyStatute of Apprentices (1563)
Declared work as a social & moral duty Required people to live & work where
they were born Controlled the movement of labor, fixed
wages, & regulated apprenticeshipsThe Poor Laws of 1597 & 1601
Local areas responsible for their own homeless & unemployed
Ability to raise money for charity & provide work for “vagabonds”
Foreign Policy
England had no continental lands when Elizabeth began her reign
Developed a strong navyRelied on diplomacyOperated as the third balancing power
This helped prevent one country from dominating others
Elizabeth sought to solidify English ties with Scotland and Ireland
Think (Write), Pair, Share
What foreign policy strategy did England develop under Elizabeth I reign?
Elizabeth I & Mary, Queen of Scots 1560s Scotland became Protestant & an ally
of England Mary (Stuart), Queen of Scots forced to
abdicate the throne in 1567 Mary was Catholic & in line to the English throne Was accused of plotting with Catholics against
Elizabeth 1587 was executed
Elizabeth died at the age of 69 in 1603 James I (son of Mary, Queen of Scots)
became king & founder of the Stuart dynasty
