England and the Tudors

1. England and the Tudors Mr. White’s World History Class

2. A monarchy is a structure of government in which one person rules as the head of the state • England’s monarchy was a limited monarchy – the king or queen’s power was limited and they did not rule by the Divine Right of Kings • In 1215, King John of England signed the Magna Charta, which limited the monarch’s powers and guaranteed certain rights to nobles English Limited Monarchy

3. The Tudor monarchs (rulers of England) were considered hard-working, able, and popular • They brought unity to England after previous turmoil and unrest • The Tudors were not absolute monarchs – they did not rule with as much power as others England and the Tudors

4. Became king in 1485 after the Wars of the Roses • Expanded England’s trade with foreign nations • Improved collection of taxes and promoted better government spending • Avoided getting England into wars with other countries Henry VII – The First Tudor

5. Henry increased the power of England by fighting wars and expanding the navy • In pursuit of getting a male heir, Henry married six times and split with the Catholic church Henry VIII

6. Catherine of Aragon – marriage annulled • Anne Boleyn – marriage annulled, beheaded • Jane Seymour – gave Henry a son and heir, but died two weeks later • Anne of Cleves – marriage annulled • Catherine Howard – marriage annulled, beheaded • Catherine Parr – Henry died while married to her (so she wins) Henry VIII

8. Elizabeth • Became queen at 25 • Used her power for the good of her people, mostly • Won loyalty and confidence of her subjects • Poets and writers of her time praised her • William Shakespeare

9. Avoided marrying at all costs, as it would mean losing power • Used a council of nobles to help her rule • Believed in social rank • Gentry – nobles with land • Yeomen – poorer farmers • Worked to help England pay off its debt Elizabeth – Social and Economic

10. The English relied on the English channel for their protection – Elizabeth thus built up the English navy • This resulted in the naval victory against Spain at Gravelines, after which the English gradually became a global sea power • This was considered one of Elizabeth’s most important successes Foreign Policy

11. The English also relied on diplomacy • Balance of power – England worked to keep any country from upsetting the balance of power – if one was becoming too powerful, England would step in to rebalance it • Scotland was gradually taken over by England in the 1560s • 1590s – English carried out military campaigns to conquer Ireland