tudor dynasty

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The Tudor Dynasty

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Page 1: Tudor dynasty

The Tudor Dynasty

Page 2: Tudor dynasty
Page 3: Tudor dynasty

The Founder: Henry VII• His Welsh blood and descent from

royal illegitimacy made his claim to the throne rather laughable.

• Nevertheless, he was adopted by the Lancastrian faction of the nobility displeased with the York factions’ dominance.

• Crowned on the battlefield after the defeat and death of King Richard III at Bosworth Field in 1485.

• Affirmed his claim to the throne by papal decree, filled the state coffers, brought the nobles to heel, and sired heirs. A very successful reign!

Page 4: Tudor dynasty

The Tyrant: Henry VIII• Inherited a secure and prosperous kingdom from his

father, Henry VIII. He reigned from 1509-1547.• Married six times and was the father of three future

monarchs: Edward VI, from his third wife Jane Seymour. Mary I, from his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Elizabeth I, from his second wife Anne Boleyn.

• Though he possessed a formidable and shrewd intellect he is often perceived to have been disinterested in the rigors of governance.

• The second half of his reign saw England’s split from the Catholic church, social upheaval in the form internal revolt, the the death of 4 of his wives (2 by execution), the execution of his 2 top advisors, as well as the execution of other high nobility and clergy. Despite the horrors of his later reign fascination with Henry persists to this day.

Page 5: Tudor dynasty

The Wives of Henry VIII

Page 6: Tudor dynasty

The prominent advisors of Henry VIII• Cardinal Thomas Woolsey, born of common blood and

rose to the heights of political and religious power.• Served as Henry’s Chancellor, chief political advisor and

papal legate.• Woolsey was often thought of as the real power behind

the throne due to the often disinterested nature of Henry’s rule.

• By all accounts an extremely hardworking and capable administrator Henry finally grew tired of him in 1532 because of his seeming lack of enthusiasm in finding resolution to the King’s “great matter” (divorcing Catherine, marrying Anne).

• Thomas Cromwell was another self-made man and protégé of Woolsey. A solicitor by trade he also proved to have exceptional administrative and political talents. Assumed Woolsey’s position as the king’s chief advisor upon his downfall.

• He was what would be considered a religious radical and follower of Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation. His religious motives and a way to solve the King’s “great matter” fortuitously coincided.

• His downfall is precipitated by court intrigue among staunch Catholics and Henry’s unhappiness with Anne of Cleves, daughter of a protestant German prince, who was suggested by Cromwell.

Page 7: Tudor dynasty

The Boy King: Edward VI• Only 9 when his father died his ascension to the throne was accompanied by powerful and ambitious

regents like his uncle Thomas Seymour, brother of Henry’s 3rd wife Jane.• He was always a frail and sickly child and long life for him was not expected.• Nonetheless, he was well educated and had his own ideas about how the Kingdom should be managed

but was always dominated by his powerful uncles.• His death at age 16 instigated furious political machinations and a brief succession crisis before his

eldest half-sister Mary I assumed the throne

Page 8: Tudor dynasty

The Zealot: Mary I• Embittered by her years of disownment

Mary was a cold and ruthless religious fanatic for the Catholic faith.

• She trook great steps to restor the “old religion” to England including the execution of “heretics”. Though she was often capable of great acts of kindness, clemency and charity to the poor.

• She, like her brother, suffered from poor health and never bore children.

Page 9: Tudor dynasty

The Virgin Queen: Elizabeth I

• The only child of Henry’s stormy relationship with Anne Boleyn. After Anne’s execution Elizabeth suffered the same indignities and legitimacy questions as Mary.

• She was a committed Protestant and skilled political operator which allowed her to avoid the potential pitfalls during Mary and Edward’s reigns.

• The controversies of Mary’s foreign husband and heavy handed attempts to restory Catholicism made the public especially receptive to her perceived “Englishness” and politically popular religious positions.

• She reigned with no husband, children, or family beside her and oversaw the beginning of the historic British Empire.