The English Monarchy from 1485-1714: Tudors and Stuarts

Henry VII 1485-1509

Henry VII 1485-1509 Defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field, ending Wars of the Roses in 1485 Suppressed the nobles’ power, destroying independent feudal armies Established Court of Star Chamber Chose many advisors from the middle class, and gained their support Not dependent on Parliament for money, due to frugality and wise revenue policies

Henry VIII 1509-1547

Henry VIII 1509-1547 Broke with Roman Church to annul marriage to Catherine of Aragon By Act of Supremacy (1534), Parliament gave him control of the Church of England Executed two wives and his Lord Chancellor, Thomas More Opposed to, and punished, both Protestants and Catholics loyal to Rome

Edward VI 1547-1553

Edward VI 1547-1553 Son of Jane Seymour Only 9 years old when he became king England under the control of the very Protestant Seymour family Died at age 16

Mary I 1553-1558

Mary I 1553-1558 Daughter of Catherine of Aragon Devoutly Roman Catholic Marries her cousin, Philip II of Spain Executes over 300 leading Protestants, including Cramner, by burning at the stake: “Bloody Mary” Dies without heir

Elizabeth I 1558-1603

Elizabeth I 1558-1603 Daughter of Anne Boleyn Determined to establish unity Sets up Anglican Church Persecuted Roman Catholics and extreme Puritans; otherwise practiced tolerance as a Politique Reigned during period of great literary achievement, especially Shakespeare Executed cousin Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587 for plotting with Spain Defeated Spanish Armada in 1588 Never married

James I 1603-1625                                      

James I 1603-1625 Cousin of Elizabeth, son of Mary, Queen of Scots “The wisest fool in Christendom” Unwilling to support Protestants in 30 Years War Faces increasing opposition from Puritans and Parliament

Charles I 1625-1649                                      

Charles I 1625-1649 Son of James I Dismisses Parliament in 1629; rules without them until 1640 Relies on “extra-legal” revenue sources Tries to move church towards Catholicism Faces rebellion in Scotland “Long Parliament,” 1640-1660, severely limits his power Civil War leads to beheading in 1649

Charles II 1660-1685                                      

Charles II 1660-1685 Son of Charles I, invited back from French exile by Parliament “Merry Monarch” eliminates Puritan restrictions Allied with France Extended religious freedom to Catholics Parliament forced him to sign Test Act (1673) barring Catholics from public office Parties form in England: Tories support a strong monarchy and Whigs oppose it

James II 1685-1688                                      

James II 1685-1688 Brother of Charles II Catholic with young Catholic wife and two Protestant daughters Ignores Test Act and other restrictions on Catholics Regularly dissolved Parliament Fathers Catholic James III in 1688, provoking the Glorious Revolution

(William) and Mary 1689-(1702) 1694

William and Mary 1689-1702 Oldest, Protestant daughter of James II and Protestant King of the Netherlands Co-Joint rulers Signed Bill of Rights in 1689 Involved England in wars against France Asserted control in Ireland Parliament emerged as center of political power Cabinet system developed

Anne 1702-1714

Anne 1702-1714 Younger Protestant daughter of James II Parliamentary system is well established Act of Union in 1707 creates United Kingdom of Great Britain by joining England and Scotland