Treaty of Medina del Campo 1489
Background Henry Tudor had succeeded to the English throne following the defeat of King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in August 1485. His accession ended the 330 year rule of the Plantagenets … Read more
William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury 1450 – 1532
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
Battle of Flodden Field 9th September 1513
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
Tudor Archbishops of Canterbury
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
What did King Henry VIII do all day? (1509)
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 – How did they celebrate?
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
What was King Henry VII’s Foreign Policy?
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
King Henry VIII Coronation 24th June 1509
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
Why Did Henry VIII Have Six Wives?
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
Who Were The Tudor Nobility?
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
Lady Jane Grey 1537 – 1554
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, Pretender, died 1499
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 1450 – 1510
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 1462 – 1510
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
Who Were The Tudor Kings and Queens?
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
How Was Tudor Society Structured?
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 1457 – 1509 Biography
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
Tudor Money and Finance
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
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
Why Did Queen Elizabeth I Have So Many Portraits Painted?
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