When did the Tudor period begin and end?
The Tudor period began in 1485 when Henry VII defeated King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field and ended in 1603 with the death of Elizabeth I. This dynasty ruled England and Wales for 118 years.
Common questions about Tudor period
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What were the main financial reforms introduced by Henry VII?
Henry VII created a new system of royal finance that tripled the crown's income and achieved a balanced budget. He returned lands distributed to the nobility and brought the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster under royal control to generate significant funds for the crown.
How did Henry VIII break from the Catholic Church?
Henry VIII broke from Rome in 1534 when the Act of Supremacy made the king the protector and only supreme head of the church and clergy of England. This move followed the refusal of Pope Clement VII to grant an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
What happened to the monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII?
The monasteries were closed and the monks and nuns were pensioned off between 1536 and Henry's death. The valuable lands were sold to friends of the King, producing a large, wealthy gentry class that supported Henry.
Why was Cardinal Thomas Wolsey considered a disappointment by Henry VIII?
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was considered a disappointment because he failed to get a divorce for Henry VIII when the king needed a new wife to produce a son. Wolsey conspired with Henry's enemies and died of natural causes before he could be beheaded.
What were the key religious changes during the reign of Edward VI?
During the reign of Edward VI, the Book of Common Prayer became law in 1549 and prayers were to be in English rather than Latin. The Mass was no longer to be celebrated and 2,374 chantries were closed down in 1547 to seize their assets.