The Tudors and the Reformation
Henry VII strengthened central government and reduced the power of the nobles. His son Henry VIII is famous for breaking away from the Church of Rome and for marrying six times.
Henry wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, but the Pope refused. Henry established the Church of England, with the king as its head.
Henry VIII’s six wives: Catherine of Aragon (divorced), Anne Boleyn (executed), Jane Seymour (died after the birth of her son Edward), Anne of Cleves (divorced), Catherine Howard (executed) and Catherine Parr (outlived Henry).
The Reformation was a European movement against the authority of the Pope. Its followers were called Protestants. Edward VI was strongly Protestant; the Book of Common Prayer was written in his reign. His half-sister Mary was a devout Catholic who persecuted Protestants and became known as “Bloody Mary”.
Elizabeth I, Henry VIII’s daughter with Anne Boleyn, re-established the Church of England. In 1588 the English defeated the Spanish Armada, a large fleet of ships sent by Spain to conquer England.
In the Elizabethan period English settlers began to colonise the eastern coast of America. Sir Francis Drake, one of the founders of England’s navy, sailed his ship the Golden Hind around the world. William Shakespeare (1564–1616) wrote many plays and poems.
In Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic, fled to England and was held prisoner by Elizabeth I for 20 years. She was eventually executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth.
Key facts
- Henry VIII broke with Rome and created the Church of England.
- Elizabeth I was a Protestant and one of the most popular monarchs in English history.
- 1588 — Defeat of the Spanish Armada.
- The Golden Hind was one of the first ships to sail around the world (Sir Francis Drake).
- Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Important dates
| 1485 | Henry VII becomes king (Tudor period begins) |
| 1588 | Defeat of the Spanish Armada |
| 1564–1616 | Life of William Shakespeare |
Important people
- Henry VIII: Broke with Rome; married six times.
- Elizabeth I: Protestant queen; defeat of the Spanish Armada.
- Mary, Queen of Scots: Catholic queen held prisoner by Elizabeth I and later executed.
- Sir Francis Drake: Sailed around the world in the Golden Hind.
- William Shakespeare: Playwright and poet, born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Memory tips
- Henry VIII’s wives: “Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived.”
- Order of names: “Catherine, Anne, Jane, Anne, Catherine, Catherine.”
Practice questions
1. Why did Henry VIII break away from the Church of Rome?
- The Pope refused to let him divorce Catherine of Aragon
- He wanted to become Pope
- The Church supported Scotland
- He wanted to close all monasteries immediately
Show answer
The Pope refused to allow Henry to divorce Catherine of Aragon, so Henry established the Church of England.
2. In which year was the Spanish Armada defeated?
- 1066
- 1415
- 1588
- 1688
Show answer
The English defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
3. Where was William Shakespeare born?
- London
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Oxford
- Canterbury
Show answer
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564.
4. Which TWO of Henry VIII’s wives were executed?
- Anne Boleyn
- Jane Seymour
- Catherine Howard
- Catherine Parr
Show answer
Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed.
5. Which wife of Henry VIII died after giving birth to his son Edward?
- Catherine of Aragon
- Anne of Cleves
- Jane Seymour
- Catherine Parr
Show answer
Jane Seymour gave Henry his only son, Edward, but died shortly after the birth.
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