The Tudors
Henry VII founded the Tudor dynasty after victory at Bosworth. His son Henry VIII became king in 1509. Henry VIII broke with the authority of the Pope in Rome, and Parliament passed laws establishing royal authority over the Church in England.
The religious changes of the 16th century continued under Henry’s children. Edward VI was Protestant, Mary I restored Catholic worship, and Elizabeth I established a Protestant religious settlement after becoming queen in 1558.
During Elizabeth I’s reign the Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588. The period also saw overseas exploration and a flourishing of theatre and literature, including the work of William Shakespeare.
The Stuarts and Civil War
When Elizabeth I died without children, James VI of Scotland also became James I of England in 1603, linking the crowns. In 1605 a group of Catholics attempted to blow up Parliament in the Gunpowder Plot; Guy Fawkes was one of the conspirators.
Conflict over religion, taxation and the balance of power between Charles I and Parliament eventually led to civil wars in the 1640s. Supporters of the king were known as Cavaliers and supporters of Parliament as Roundheads.
Charles I was executed in 1649. England became a republic. Oliver Cromwell later became Lord Protector, and campaigns during this period also had major consequences in Scotland and Ireland.
Restoration and revolution
The monarchy was restored under Charles II in 1660. The Great Plague struck London in 1665 and the Great Fire of London followed in 1666. Samuel Pepys is famous for the diary in which he recorded life during this period.
James II succeeded Charles II, but concern over his policies and religion led to the Glorious Revolution of 1688. William of Orange and his wife Mary were invited to take the throne.
The Bill of Rights of 1689 limited the monarch’s power and strengthened Parliament. It became an important step in the development of constitutional monarchy.
Science and ideas
The 17th century was also a major period for science. The Royal Society was founded in 1660. Isaac Newton made major contributions to mathematics and physics, including work on gravity and the laws of motion.
Key Tudor and Stuart dates
Use these dates as anchors when revising the period.
- ✓1558 — Elizabeth I becomes queen
- ✓1588 — Spanish Armada defeated
- ✓1605 — Gunpowder Plot
- ✓1649 — Charles I executed
- ✓1660 — Restoration
- ✓1666 — Great Fire of London
- ✓1688 — Glorious Revolution
- ✓1689 — Bill of Rights