2.2 The Tudor Dynasty in England

The Tudor dynasty reshaped England's political and religious landscape. From Henry VII's victory in 1485 to Elizabeth I's death in 1603, the Tudors centralized power, broke with Rome, and established the Church of England.

These changes set England on a new path. The Reformation, naval expansion, and economic growth under the Tudors laid the groundwork for England's emergence as a major European power in the following centuries.

The Tudor Monarchs

Henry VII's Reign (1485-1509)

• Henry VII ended the Wars of the Roses by defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485
• Strengthened the monarchy by reducing the power of the nobility and increasing the power of the royal court
• Implemented financial reforms to increase revenue and stabilize the economy (Court of Star Chamber, bonds and recognizances)
• Arranged strategic marriages for his children to establish alliances with other European powers (Catherine of Aragon, James IV of Scotland)

Henry VIII's Reign (1509-1547)

• Henry VIII is known for his six marriages and the establishment of the Church of England
• Sought an annulment of his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, leading to a break with the Roman Catholic Church
• Dissolved the monasteries and seized their wealth, using the proceeds to fund military campaigns and lavish court expenditures
• Expanded the Royal Navy and strengthened coastal defenses to protect against potential invasions from France and Spain

Elizabeth I's Reign (1558-1603)

• Elizabeth I, known as the "Virgin Queen," never married or produced an heir, leading to the end of the Tudor dynasty upon her death
• Established a moderate religious settlement (Act of Uniformity, Act of Supremacy) that helped stabilize the country after years of religious turmoil
• Presided over a period of economic growth, artistic flourishing (Shakespeare, Marlowe), and maritime exploration (Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh)
• Defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, cementing England's status as a major European power and protecting the country from invasion

English Reformation and the Anglican Church

Break with the Roman Catholic Church

• Henry VIII's desire for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon led to a break with the Roman Catholic Church
• The Act of Supremacy (1534) declared Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England, effectively establishing an independent English church
• The dissolution of the monasteries (1536-1541) saw the closure of religious houses and the seizure of their assets by the Crown

Establishment of the Anglican Church

• The Anglican Church, or Church of England, emerged as a compromise between Roman Catholic and Protestant beliefs and practices
• The Book of Common Prayer, first introduced in 1549 and revised in 1552 and 1559, provided a standardized liturgy for the new church
• The Thirty-Nine Articles (1563) outlined the doctrinal beliefs of the Anglican Church, incorporating elements of both Catholic and Protestant theology

Religious Settlement under Elizabeth I

• Elizabeth I sought a middle ground between Catholicism and Protestantism to promote stability and unity
• The Act of Uniformity (1559) required the use of the Book of Common Prayer in all church services and established a common form of worship
• The Act of Supremacy (1559) reaffirmed the monarch's role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, though with less direct control than during Henry VIII's reign

Tudor Government and Economy

Centralization of Power

• The Star Chamber, a court that sat without a jury and was used to try powerful individuals, helped the monarchy control the nobility
• The Privy Council, a group of advisors appointed by the monarch, gained importance in decision-making and governance
• The Tudor monarchs increasingly relied on a system of patronage and rewards to maintain loyalty among the nobility and gentry

Economic Developments

• The enclosure movement, which involved the consolidation of small landholdings into larger, more efficient farms, led to increased agricultural productivity but also displaced many small farmers
• The dissolution of the monasteries released vast amounts of land onto the market, allowing the gentry and merchant classes to expand their landholdings
• The growth of the wool trade and the expansion of the cloth industry contributed to the development of a more commercialized economy

Foreign Policy and Defense

• Henry VIII's foreign policy was characterized by a series of alliances and conflicts with France and Spain, driven by both dynastic and religious concerns
• Elizabeth I's foreign policy focused on maintaining a balance of power in Europe and protecting England from potential invasions (Spanish Armada)
• The expansion of the Royal Navy and the construction of coastal fortifications helped to secure England's borders and protect its growing maritime trade