The document provides an overview of key monarchs during the English Renaissance period, including Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. Some of the main events summarized are Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, the various marriages and executions during his reign, the brief Protestant rule under Edward VI, the Catholic restoration under Mary I, and the highly successful rule of Elizabeth I who kept England Protestant and established it as a world power.

1. English RenaissanceEnglish Renaissance
HistoryHistory
The Tudor (and Stuart) MonarchsThe Tudor (and Stuart) Monarchs

5. Henry VIIHenry VII
Henry Tudor marriedHenry Tudor married ElizabethElizabeth
of Yorkof York (daughter of Edward(daughter of Edward
IV).IV).
Henry had defeated Richard IIIHenry had defeated Richard III
at theat the Battle of Bosworth Field,Battle of Bosworth Field,
ending theending the Wars of the RosesWars of the Roses..
Henry VII went on to forgeHenry VII went on to forge
international relationshipsinternational relationships
through the marriages of histhrough the marriages of his
children.children.

6. Henry VIIIHenry VIII  Second son of Henry VIISecond son of Henry VII
 After his elder brotherAfter his elder brother ArthurArthur died, Henrydied, Henry
became heir to the throne.became heir to the throne.
 Spain and England wanted to keep theirSpain and England wanted to keep their
alliance, even w/ Arthur’s deathalliance, even w/ Arthur’s death
 So Henry married Catherine of Aragon,So Henry married Catherine of Aragon,
Arthur’s widow - no papal dispensation wasArthur’s widow - no papal dispensation was
given, and the marriage was even done bygiven, and the marriage was even done by
proxy; Henry was only permitted to consentproxy; Henry was only permitted to consent
at canonical age (which he never did)at canonical age (which he never did)
Later he tried to annul this marriage so heLater he tried to annul this marriage so he
could marrycould marry Anne BoleynAnne Boleyn..
 Henry claimed that God punished him byHenry claimed that God punished him by
denying him a legitimatedenying him a legitimate malemale heir – inheir – in
LeviticusLeviticus, God does threaten childlessness if a, God does threaten childlessness if a
man marries his brother’s widow…so Henryman marries his brother’s widow…so Henry
came to see this marriage as cursed…came to see this marriage as cursed…

7. I need a son. I have
been married for 20
years and my wife,
Catherine of Aragon
is too old to have any
more children. Who
will inherit my throne
when I die?
I spy an attractive lady
– in-waiting called Anne
Boleyn. If only I could
marry her instead. Will
the Pope give me a
divorce?
The Church is very rich.
I need money for my
luxurious court. If only I
could get my hands on it.
The new Protestant
ideas are spreading
in Germany.
Princes there are
reforming their
churches and
throwing out the
Catholic Church.
Some people in England like the new
Protestant ideas. They believe that the
Bible should be in English not Latin.
The Church takes
money out my
country in taxes to
help build St
Peter’s in Rome.
What do I get in
return?

8. CatharineCatharine
of Aragonof Aragon
Catharine was the daughter ofCatharine was the daughter of Isabella andIsabella and
Ferdinand of Spain.Ferdinand of Spain.
She was married to Arthur, Henry VII’s heir,She was married to Arthur, Henry VII’s heir,
but he died, apparently before the marriage wasbut he died, apparently before the marriage was
consummated.consummated.
Later she married Henry VIII, but they onlyLater she married Henry VIII, but they only
had one living child,had one living child, MaryMary. (They had a son who. (They had a son who
died in infancy).died in infancy).
Henry wanted to find a husband for Mary, soHenry wanted to find a husband for Mary, so
that she would be unchallenged as his heiressthat she would be unchallenged as his heiress
(women were not banned from the throne, but it(women were not banned from the throne, but it
was untraditional).was untraditional).
Some suitors worried that Mary could not be aSome suitors worried that Mary could not be a
legitimate queen as Henry had married hislegitimate queen as Henry had married his
brother’s widow…brother’s widow…
All of these issues reached the boiling pointAll of these issues reached the boiling point
after 20 yrs. b/c of constant succession worries,after 20 yrs. b/c of constant succession worries,
Catharine’s diminishing looks, and theCatharine’s diminishing looks, and the
appearance of Anne Boleyn…appearance of Anne Boleyn…
Catharine’s later years were ones of persecutionCatharine’s later years were ones of persecution
where Henry tried to make her sign annulmentwhere Henry tried to make her sign annulment

9. Henry VIII (cont.)Henry VIII (cont.)
When he wanted to marryWhen he wanted to marry Anne BoleynAnne Boleyn,,
Henry created the Church of England andHenry created the Church of England and
banned the Catholic Church from hisbanned the Catholic Church from his
nation. He also seized all of the property ofnation. He also seized all of the property of
the Catholic Church, thereby increasing thethe Catholic Church, thereby increasing the
wealth of England.wealth of England.

10. Anne BoleynAnne Boleyn
Anne became Henry VIII’sAnne became Henry VIII’s
second wife. But since his first,second wife. But since his first,
Catharine of Aragon, was stillCatharine of Aragon, was still
living, many Catholics, felt thatliving, many Catholics, felt that
her childher child ElizabethElizabeth waswas
illegitimate.illegitimate.
When she failed to produce aWhen she failed to produce a
male heir, there were rumoursmale heir, there were rumours
that she was infertile…and bythat she was infertile…and by
that time Henry had metthat time Henry had met JaneJane
SeymourSeymour..
Anne tried to woo Henry back,Anne tried to woo Henry back,
but he had her charged withbut he had her charged with
adultery and incest andadultery and incest and
beheaded…beheaded…

11.  Elizabeth and Mary were raisedElizabeth and Mary were raised
togethertogether
 Queen Jane Seymour showed favour toQueen Jane Seymour showed favour to
Mary but treated Elizabeth wellMary but treated Elizabeth well
 And the Queen did finally have thatAnd the Queen did finally have that
male heir,male heir, Edward VIEdward VI; this ended the; this ended the
sisters’ succession argumentsisters’ succession argument
 When Jane Seymour died (a fever), theWhen Jane Seymour died (a fever), the
3 siblings were raised together3 siblings were raised together

12.  Henry VIII went on to marryHenry VIII went on to marry
Anne of ClevesAnne of Cleves – it only lasted 6– it only lasted 6
months, and Henry got out of itmonths, and Henry got out of it
by saying he was impotent on theby saying he was impotent on the
wedding night…wedding night…
 Henry then marriedHenry then married CatherineCatherine
HowardHoward, a 17 year old, who was, a 17 year old, who was
soon beheaded for adulterysoon beheaded for adultery
 So Henry married for the finalSo Henry married for the final
time, totime, to Catherine ParrCatherine Parr – she got– she got
along well with all the childrenalong well with all the children
 Elizabeth stayed the 3Elizabeth stayed the 3rdrd
lady oflady of
the court – only the Habsburgsthe court – only the Habsburgs
still called the “whore’sstill called the “whore’s
daughter”daughter”

13. Edward VIEdward VI
He was the son of Henry VIII andHe was the son of Henry VIII and JaneJane
SeymourSeymour - a Protestant who became king at- a Protestant who became king at
the age of 9.the age of 9.
The Church of England expanded while heThe Church of England expanded while he
was king.was king.
But he was sickly and died at the age of 16.But he was sickly and died at the age of 16.
During his kingship, England was largelyDuring his kingship, England was largely
under the rule of Edward’s council, whichunder the rule of Edward’s council, which
includedincluded Thomas Seymour (the Duke ofThomas Seymour (the Duke of
Somerset)Somerset)……

14.  Elizabeth fell in love with Thomas Seymour,Elizabeth fell in love with Thomas Seymour,
and he wanted to marry either Elizabeth orand he wanted to marry either Elizabeth or
Mary (but they could only marry w/ theMary (but they could only marry w/ the
permission of the entire council), sopermission of the entire council), so
Seymour instead married Catherine ParrSeymour instead married Catherine Parr
(Henry’s widow) – as Elizabeth lived w/(Henry’s widow) – as Elizabeth lived w/
Parr, this made Seymour her stepfather andParr, this made Seymour her stepfather and
guardian (and it is likely that he abused herguardian (and it is likely that he abused her
during this time)during this time)
 When Parr died in childbirth, she had leftWhen Parr died in childbirth, she had left
all to Seymour in an oral willall to Seymour in an oral will

15. Jane GreyJane Grey
In need of a lady of the household, heIn need of a lady of the household, he
brought inbrought in Lady Jane GreyLady Jane Grey (Henry VIII’s(Henry VIII’s
grand-niece), saying he would marry her offgrand-niece), saying he would marry her off
to Edward VIto Edward VI
 Seymour wanted Lady Jane Grey as theSeymour wanted Lady Jane Grey as the
next queen, as opposed to Edward’s sisternext queen, as opposed to Edward’s sister
Mary, who was Catholic. (Seymour’s sonMary, who was Catholic. (Seymour’s son
had married Jane Grey.)had married Jane Grey.)
 in 1549, Edward passed the Act ofin 1549, Edward passed the Act of
Uniformity, introducing the ProtestantUniformity, introducing the Protestant
Prayer Book – Mary looked to CatholicPrayer Book – Mary looked to Catholic
Spain and her cousin Charles V forSpain and her cousin Charles V for
assistance – basically, she disobeyed herassistance – basically, she disobeyed her
brother and father…brother and father…
So all the fundamental 16So all the fundamental 16thth
century valuescentury values
came into conflict –came into conflict – religion, patriotism, thereligion, patriotism, the
law, dynastic successionlaw, dynastic succession……

16.  Edward opted for religion and plotted to get rid of MaryEdward opted for religion and plotted to get rid of Mary
(and Elizabeth, as he thought she would not go along w/(and Elizabeth, as he thought she would not go along w/
him)him)
 Edward thought succession would go to the maleEdward thought succession would go to the male
descendants ofdescendants of Mary TudorMary Tudor (Henry VIII’s sister)(Henry VIII’s sister)
 There were no male heirs at that time, but it was assumedThere were no male heirs at that time, but it was assumed
someone would have a son eventually…but then Edward’ssomeone would have a son eventually…but then Edward’s
health went into rapid decline, and time was running outhealth went into rapid decline, and time was running out
 On his deathbed, Edward changed his will to indicate thatOn his deathbed, Edward changed his will to indicate that
Lady Jane Grey (and not her male heirs) should succeedLady Jane Grey (and not her male heirs) should succeed
himhim
 When Edward died, Jane became the queen, but Mary alsoWhen Edward died, Jane became the queen, but Mary also
proclaimed herself the queen – when Jane’s army faltered,proclaimed herself the queen – when Jane’s army faltered,
the council abandoned herthe council abandoned her
 When Mary recaptured the throne she had Seymour andWhen Mary recaptured the throne she had Seymour and
Jane executed (Jane was queen for 9 days)...Jane executed (Jane was queen for 9 days)...

18. Mary I (Bloody Mary)Mary I (Bloody Mary)
Mary was the daughter of HenryMary was the daughter of Henry
VIII andVIII and Catharine of AragonCatharine of Aragon..
During her childhood, Mary wasDuring her childhood, Mary was
persecuted by Henry when hepersecuted by Henry when he
wanted to annul his marriage to herwanted to annul his marriage to her
mother.mother.
As Queen she attempted to restoreAs Queen she attempted to restore
Catholicism, and she married theCatholicism, and she married the
youngyoung PhilipPhilip from Spain.from Spain.
She also had more than 300She also had more than 300
Protestants killed.Protestants killed.
None of these actions was popularNone of these actions was popular
with the now firmly entrenchedwith the now firmly entrenched
Protestant EnglandProtestant England

19.  Mary pressured Elizabeth to convert to Catholicism – sheMary pressured Elizabeth to convert to Catholicism – she
learned to go thru the motionslearned to go thru the motions
 Mary turned against Eliz. anyway – saw her as a threatMary turned against Eliz. anyway – saw her as a threat
 She wanted a husband to play the necessary chivalric role;She wanted a husband to play the necessary chivalric role;
at this time Charles V offered his handsome 26 yr old sonat this time Charles V offered his handsome 26 yr old son
Philip (she was 37 and less attractive)Philip (she was 37 and less attractive)
 Spain was looking for an alliance w/ Eng. against FranceSpain was looking for an alliance w/ Eng. against France
and hoped a re-Catholicized Eng. would help Spain againstand hoped a re-Catholicized Eng. would help Spain against
the revolt in the Netherlandsthe revolt in the Netherlands
 Many in Eng. never accepted her marriage to Philip =Many in Eng. never accepted her marriage to Philip =
xenophobia!xenophobia!
 A rebellion erupted against Mary (=Wyatt’s rebellion) –A rebellion erupted against Mary (=Wyatt’s rebellion) –
Eliz. was connected to it, and ended up in the Tower…Eliz. was connected to it, and ended up in the Tower…
 But she admitted nothing and was spared, finding herselfBut she admitted nothing and was spared, finding herself
instead under house arrestinstead under house arrest

20.  But Mary and Philip had trouble conceiving a child…But Mary and Philip had trouble conceiving a child…
Philip decided to leave and pursue other kingdomsPhilip decided to leave and pursue other kingdoms
instead…and he came to favour Elizabeth over Mary as heinstead…and he came to favour Elizabeth over Mary as he
thought it was better for the Habsburgs (w/o Eliz., thethought it was better for the Habsburgs (w/o Eliz., the
other successor was Mary, Queen of Scots, who would haveother successor was Mary, Queen of Scots, who would have
allied with France)allied with France)
 Philip had managed to take Eng. into a war w/ Fr., and thePhilip had managed to take Eng. into a war w/ Fr., and the
Eng. lost the fortress of Calais…Eng. lost the fortress of Calais…
 Mary’s regime had failed, and was unpopular anyway withMary’s regime had failed, and was unpopular anyway with
the 100s of burnings…the 100s of burnings…
 When Mary died peacefully, Elizabeth acceded to theWhen Mary died peacefully, Elizabeth acceded to the
throne peacefully – she was proclaimed in only 6 hrs. asthrone peacefully – she was proclaimed in only 6 hrs. as
having the “lawful right and title to the crown”having the “lawful right and title to the crown”

21. Elizabeth IElizabeth I
The red-haired daughter ofThe red-haired daughter of
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn,Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn,
she became England’s greatestshe became England’s greatest
leader. She kept control ofleader. She kept control of
England by refusing to marryEngland by refusing to marry
anyone and playing one nobleanyone and playing one noble
against another – many hopingagainst another – many hoping
to marry the Queen. She keptto marry the Queen. She kept
religious wars down, advancedreligious wars down, advanced
exploration, became a patronexploration, became a patron
of the arts, and broughtof the arts, and brought
England to the position ofEngland to the position of
world power with the defeat ofworld power with the defeat of
the Spanish Armadathe Spanish Armada

22.  Elizabeth worked hard to avoid religious conflict – whenElizabeth worked hard to avoid religious conflict – when
the House of Lords blocked some of her religious bills, shethe House of Lords blocked some of her religious bills, she
prorogued Parliament and went to the Chapel Royale,prorogued Parliament and went to the Chapel Royale,
where a wooden table had replaced the stone altar andwhere a wooden table had replaced the stone altar and
mass was in English (not Latin)mass was in English (not Latin)
 She also organized public debates on religion, where theShe also organized public debates on religion, where the
Protestants were given every advantageProtestants were given every advantage
 And in future H. of L. votes, she made sure certain LordsAnd in future H. of L. votes, she made sure certain Lords
were “absent”were “absent”
 w/ that, the Church of England was again entrenchedw/ that, the Church of England was again entrenched 
oaths were required, and any non-compliant bishops wereoaths were required, and any non-compliant bishops were
dismissed – but she kept the punishments for “heresy”dismissed – but she kept the punishments for “heresy”
light…Catholics went into hiding, but she largely turned alight…Catholics went into hiding, but she largely turned a
blind eye as long as public demonstrations didn’t occurblind eye as long as public demonstrations didn’t occur
 She also kept a certain degree of church ceremony; as aShe also kept a certain degree of church ceremony; as a
monarch, she saw the advantage of ritualmonarch, she saw the advantage of ritual

24. Mary (Stuart), Queen of ScotsMary (Stuart), Queen of Scots
Mary was the daughter of James VMary was the daughter of James V
and destined to be the Queen ofand destined to be the Queen of
France.France.
When Francois II died, she cameWhen Francois II died, she came
back to be Queen of Scotland.back to be Queen of Scotland.
English Catholics believed that sheEnglish Catholics believed that she
was the only legitimate heir after Marywas the only legitimate heir after Mary
I’s death – they rallied around her.I’s death – they rallied around her.
Given the threat, Mary was broughtGiven the threat, Mary was brought
to Eng. as a “guest” (prisoner)to Eng. as a “guest” (prisoner)
This again raised the successionThis again raised the succession
issue…the Protestant Elizabeth had aissue…the Protestant Elizabeth had a
Catholic successor…and Mary becameCatholic successor…and Mary became
“more” Catholic…“more” Catholic…
w/ Mary as a symbol, rebellion beganw/ Mary as a symbol, rebellion began
in the countrysidein the countryside

25.  The Pope entered into things, saying Elizabeth was aThe Pope entered into things, saying Elizabeth was a
heretic…so Elizabeth became a more hard-line Protestantheretic…so Elizabeth became a more hard-line Protestant
 At this pt, English Catholics turned to Spain for help (andAt this pt, English Catholics turned to Spain for help (and
Spain was anti-Elizabeth as she supported piracy in theSpain was anti-Elizabeth as she supported piracy in the
New World and had aided the Dutch Revolt)New World and had aided the Dutch Revolt)
 When proof of Mary’s treachery came to light, Elizabeth IWhen proof of Mary’s treachery came to light, Elizabeth I
had her executed…Spain attacked, but the Armadahad her executed…Spain attacked, but the Armada
failed…failed…

26. JAMES IJAMES I
 James I of England wasJames I of England was
James VI of Scotland.James VI of Scotland.
His mother wasHis mother was MaryMary
Queen of Scots,Queen of Scots, and atand at
Elizabeth I’s death,Elizabeth I’s death,
James was named herJames was named her
heir.heir.
 A Catholic, he wasA Catholic, he was
known for theknown for the
authorization of theauthorization of the
King James Version ofKing James Version of
the Bible, as well as forthe Bible, as well as for
being the “Wisest Fool inbeing the “Wisest Fool in
Christendom”.Christendom”.