The first Tudors and the Reformation

The first Tudor king: Henry VII.

first monarch of Tudor dynasty

political alliances through marriages

period of unbroken pace+prosperity

his eldest son Arthur married Catherine of Aragon (aunt of Emperor of Spain)

his daughter Margaret, married James IV of Scotland

laid foundations of English Humanismus+promoted a Renaissance programme

The accession of Henry VIII.

allegiance to Catholic cause against Martin Luher very strong: proclamed defensor fidei (defender of the faith) by Pope

Arthur died-> Catherine widow-> Henry VIII thought of beocoming her second husband

brother of Arthur+son of Henry VII

Pope refused to grant Henry a divorce from Catherine, who failed to give him a male heir

The Reformation and the Church of England.

King of England broke with Rome

Act of Supremacy: Chruch of England= indipendent; King proclaimed Head of the Church

Beginning with Reformation: new Protestant aristocracy linked to Tudors by purchase of lands confiscated from monasteries.

Under King, England stated claim to be own mistress in domainds of politics and religion-> herself against Catholic powers of Europe: France+Spain

Religious persecution under Edward VI and Mary I.

Henry VIII's victims.

1

2

3

4

His policy met with several opponents at home

Young poet+diplomat Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

2/6 of king's wives, accused of being unfaithful+sentenced to death.

Thomas More (general humanist)

Refused to recognise supremacy of king in ecclesiastical matters->faithful to Church of Rome->beheaded

Henry's reign-> far from being satisfactory to majority of Englishmen

Radical Protestantism=strong under Edward VI (son of Henry VIII)

Catholic reaction under Mary I (daughter of Catherin of Aragon+wife of King Philip II of Spain)

These two reigns, witnessed first persecution of Catholics, then of Protestants

5

For her intolerance in religious matters="Bloody Mary"