The Tudor dynasty and English reformation (1485-1558)

House of Tudor Henry VII (1485-1509) Henry VIII (1509-1547) Edward VI (1547-1553) Lady Jane Grey (1553) Queen Mary I (1553-1558) Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

 

Henry VII united the Lancaster and York houses (married Elisabeth of York uniting "two roses").

· Was an efficient ruler - filled the treasury (казну)

· Strengthened the throne and church position

· Disbanded feudal baronial armies (!). Its important as a step towards absolute monarchy. Barons couldn`t oppose the reigning kings any longer (as they did during The war of Roses).

· Supported merchants and small landowners

 

Henry VIII (Died of obesity and heart problems). Was very extravagant (spent money on women).

· At his reign English reformation began.

· Financial policy: Henry VIII suppressed monasteries, confiscated their treasures and wealth and destroyed shrines (гробницы).

· Two acts of unions with Wales were signed: 1536 and 1542. Wales became full and equal part of the county

· 1542: crown of Ireland act

· 1534: Act of supremacy - established kings and queens of England as heads of the Church of England.

· Defender of the faith (fidei defensor) (before reformation begun)

 

Was married 6 times:

Catherine of Aragon - daughter of Isabela I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon (they united Spain).

· Produced no surviving sons

· Mother of Mary, future queen of England

· Ambassador of Spain in England

· A patron of renaissance humanism and friend of Thomas More and Erasmus of Rotterdam

· Was previously married to Henry's brother

 

Anne Boleyn – was accused of unfaithfulness.

Gave birth to Elizabeth, future queen of England

 

Henry VIII administration

*Sir Thomas More - a great philosopher of the Utopic socialism, author of Utopia- was executed for high treason

*Thomas Cromwell and outstanding statesman and lawyer - one of the most powerful advocates of the English reformation

*Thomas Wolsey the second Most powerful person in Britain a cleric and kings chef adviser (before Cromwell)

*Thomas Cranmer a leader of the English reformation and the Archbishop of Canterbury - introduced first official changes in the new Church of England

 

Edward VI – the only son of Henry VIII died at the age of 16.

Lady Jane Grey -9 days queen. Great-granddaughter of Henry VII.