Henry VIII. , Edward VI, Mary I., Elizabeth I.

Henry VIII. (1509-1547)
- a true prince of the Renaissance
- within Henry’s period an important event took place, known as the Reformation
- when the Pope refused to annul his marriage to his Spanish wife (Catharine of Aragon), he declared himself “Head of the Church of England)
- established The Church of England
- married to Anne Boleyn and broke up the monasteries
- Protestants and Catholics opposing him were executed
- he had 6 wives – he divorced 2 of them, 2 of them were executed and 2 died
- had 2 daughters (Mary and Elizabeth) and 1 son (Edward)
- established that even women could be on the throne

Edward VI
- the only son of Henry VIII:
- began the Protestant revolution in England
- in Scotland –John Knox (a fanatical Calvinist) founded The Presbyterian Church, statues I the church were destroyed, Catholics persecuted
- died very young
Mary I.
- the daughter of Henry VIII., wife of King Philip II of Spain
- restored Catholicism

Elizabeth I.
- re-established the Church of England
- foxy, very tricky
- she didn’t get married
- she did nearly everything to stay on the throne-supported trade, education…
- became an outstading Queen of England, although her way to the throne led through execution of Mary Stuart whom all Catholics in England had considered the only legitimate heir to the English Crown
- when Catholic Mary II. Stuart (Queen of Scots) and a Tudor herself fled to England, Elizabeth imprisoned her and fearing a Catholic plot had her beheaded
- under Elizabeth national pride rose, her “sea dogs” (Drake, Hawkins) attacked Spanish silver ships returning from America
The first steps toward “Great Britain” were taken when (after Elizabeth’s death) the crowns of England and Scotland were united by James I. (Mary Stuart’s son)