Early Years William Warham was born in Oakley, Hampshire around the year 1450. His father was Robert Warham of Malshanger and his mother was named Elizabeth. It is believed that William had a number of … Read more
The English War with France Henry VIII had become King of England in 1509 following the death of King Henry VII. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of King Henry V and taking control … Read more
There were nine Tudor Archbishops of Canterbury. All were influential during the period. 1454 – 1486 – Cardinal Thomas Bourchier (1411 – 1486) Thomas Bourchier was born around 1411, the son of William Bourchier and … Read more
Introduction Henry VIII became King on the death of his father, King Henry VII, on 21st April 1509. After the death of his elder brother, Arthur, in 1503 he was the sole heir to the … Read more
A Tudor Christmas was celebrated primarily as a religious festival and also as a time for families to come together and celebrate surviving through another year. The main period of festivities was the twelve days … Read more
When Henry VII became King in 1485 his foreign policy had four main aims: secure the throne; establish the Tudor dynasty; gain recognition from European monarchs increase revenue through foreign trade. Aim 1 – Secure … Read more
Before the Coronation On 22nd June 1509, King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon travelled by royal barge from Greenwich to the Tower of London. It was an age old custom that the monarch should … Read more
Divorced, beheaded, died; Divorced beheaded survived The fate of Henry VIII’s six wives Henry VIII was King of England, Ireland and Wales from 1509 to 1547, during his reign he married six times. Two wives … Read more
A Summary of the most important Tudor nobles The Tudor nobility were those whose rank placed them below the monarch but above the common people. The titles held by the Tudor nobility were hierarchical – … Read more
Early Life Lady Jane Grey was born in October 1537. She was the eldest daughter of Henry Grey and Frances Brandon. Frances was Henry VIII’s niece, the daughter of his sister Mary and her second … Read more
Ralph Wulford or Wilford, was the son of a cordwainer (shoemaker). He may have been born in London, or he may have been a member of the Wilford family from Kent. Nothing is known of … Read more
Richard Empson was the son of Peter Empson and Elizabeth Joseph. His exact date of birth is not known but he is believed to have been born around 1450 in Towcester, Northamptonshire. Education and Work … Read more
Edmund Dudley was the son of Sir John Dudley of Atherington and Elizabeth Bramshott. He was born around the year 1462 in West Sussex. Education and Work Details of Dudley’s early education are not recorded … Read more
There were a total of six Tudor kings and queens, but only five of them were crowned. They are arguably the most famous and popular of the British monarchs, ruling over a period of great … Read more
Tudor society took the form of a hierarchical system with the King at the top. Those at the top were rich and powerful while those at the bottom were poor and had no power at … Read more
King Henry VII was the first Tudor monarch. He came to the throne in 1485 after winning the Battle of Bosworth Field. His reign laid the foundation for the Tudor dynasty. Background King Henry … Read more
Coinage Tudor money was in the form of coins and there were no paper notes. At the beginning of the Tudor period, the coins in existence were: a silver penny, a groat which was … Read more
Tudor sports were not a regular feature of life for the ordinary people. They worked long hours, often from sun up to sun down, and went to bed when it got dark. In 1512 Henry … Read more
People That Shaped Elizabeth’s Character Early Childhood Elizabeth had had a turbulent childhood. For the first three years of her life she was the Princess of the court. Then her mother, Anne Boleyn, had been … Read more
Background In 1502 James IV of Scotland had forged a peace treaty with England and married Henry VII’s daughter Margaret. King Henry VII died in April 1509 and his son became King Henry VIII. Eager … Read more