Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen

Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, ruled England from 1558 to 1603, presiding over a golden age of English culture and exploration. Her 45-year reign, known as the Elizabethan era, saw significant advancements in literature, theatre, and maritime power.

Key facts about Elizabeth I:

1. She never married, earning the nickname "The Virgin Queen."
2. Her death led to the union of the English and Scottish crowns under James I.
3. She defeated three Spanish Armada attacks, solidifying England's naval supremacy.
4. She initiated the British Empire with the colony of Roanoke in North America.

Highlight: Queen Elizabeth I's achievements included defeating the Spanish Armada, encouraging the arts, and laying the foundations for the British Empire.

Wars and Conflicts in Tudor England

The Tudor period saw several significant military conflicts, including:

1. The Siege of Boulogne (1544): Henry VIII, in alliance with the Holy Roman Empire, besieged and captured the French city of Boulogne. The city remained under English control until 1550.

2. The Spanish Armada (1588): During Elizabeth I's reign, King Philip II of Spain launched multiple attempts to invade England by sea. The defeat of the Spanish Armada was a pivotal moment in English history.

Example: The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 established England as a major naval power and boosted national pride.

Religious Reforms and Social Changes

The Tudor period was marked by significant religious changes, including:

1. The Break with Rome in 1534, which established the Church of England with the monarch as its head.
2. The back-and-forth between Protestantism and Catholicism during the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.

Definition: The separation from Rome resulted in the creation of the Church of England, a Protestant denomination with the English monarch as its supreme governor.

Social and health issues of the time included:

1. Diseases such as the Sweating Sickness, Influenza, Typhoid, and Smallpox.
2. Changes in food and work patterns as England transitioned from a medieval to an early modern society.

The Tudor period ended with the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, leading to the succession crisis and the eventual union of the English and Scottish crowns under James I of the Stuart dynasty.

Edward VI: The Boy King

Edward VI, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, became king at the age of nine in 1547. His short reign lasted until 1553 when he died of tuberculosis.

Interesting facts about Edward VI include:

1. He was the first monarch to receive a private education specifically preparing him for rulership.
2. He pushed his older half-sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, down in the line of succession.
3. Edward was the last royal Tudor baby.
4. A smaller crown was made for his coronation due to his young age.

Highlight: Edward VI's reign saw the continuation of Protestant reforms in England, further solidifying the break from the Catholic Church.

Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Days' Queen

Lady Jane Grey, granddaughter of Henry VII, had the shortest reign of any British monarch, lasting only nine days in 1553. She was placed on the throne by her father and supporters in an attempt to maintain Protestant rule in England.

Quote: "She was put in place by her Father to try and keep England protestant as they knew that when Mary would became Queen it would return to a Catholic country."

However, Mary Tudor, with the support of Parliament and the population, quickly deposed Lady Jane Grey and claimed the throne for herself.

Mary I: The Catholic Queen

Mary I, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, ruled from 1553 to 1558. She was England's first queen regnant and the second female ruler after Empress Matilda.

Key facts about Mary I:

1. She returned England to Catholicism, earning the nickname "Bloody Mary" for her persecution of Protestants.
2. Her unpopular marriage to Philip II of Spain led to war with France and the loss of Calais, England's last continental possession.
3. She was twice removed from the line of succession but ultimately became queen against the odds.

Vocabulary: Queen regnant - A female monarch who reigns in her own right, as opposed to a queen consort who is the wife of a reigning king.