
What is the Tudor period?
The Tudor period is the period between 1485 and 1603 in England and Wales and includes the Elizabethan period during the reign of Elizabeth I until 1603.
When did the House of Tudor end?
On 24 March 1603 Queen Elizabeth I breathed her last and – left with no legitimate heir – the House of Tudor came to an end after more than 100 years on the English throne.
How many monarchs did the House of Tudor have?
The House of Tudor produced five monarchs who ruled during this period (excluding Lady Jane Grey). Henry VII Henry VIII Edward VI Mary I Elizabeth I
What was life like under the Tudors?
The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in England whose first monarch was Henry VII (b.1457, r.1485–1509). Historian John Guy (1988) argued that "England was economically healthier, more expansive, and more optimistic under the Tudors" than at any time since the Roman occupation.

How long did the Tudors rule England?
The Tudor period occurred between 1485 and 1603 in England and Wales and includes the Elizabethan period during the reign of Elizabeth I until 1603. The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in England that began with the reign of Henry VII (b. 1457, r. 1485–1509).
When did the Tudor line end?
The Tudors were a Welsh-English family that ruled England from 1485 to 1603. They came to power as a result of the victory of Henry VII over Yorkist king Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. The Tudor dynasty ended when Henry's grand-daughter Elizabeth I died childless.
How long did Tudors live for?
during the Tudor Times? Life in Tudor Britain was harsh - the average life expectancy was just 35 years.
Why are they called the Tudors?
Where did the 'surname' come from? The Tudors were originally from Wales, but they were not exactly of royal stock. The dynasty began with a rather scandalous secret marriage between a royal attendant, named Owain ap Maredydd ap Tudur, and the dowager queen Catherine of Valois, widow of King Henry V.
Is Queen Elizabeth A York or Tudor?
And so a 15th century queen, Elizabeth of York, is the vitally important connection between her birth family, the Plantagenets, the Tudor family she married into, and the Stuart family her daughter married into. She is the matriarch of it all.
Is the current Queen Elizabeth a Tudor?
Are the Windsors related to the Tudors? The Windsors are not directly descended from the Tudors. But, they do share a distant connection in their lineage. Historians have determined that Queen Elizabeth II is descended from Henry VIII's sister, Queen Margaret of Scotland, the grandmother of Mary Queen of Scots.
Why did the Tudors not bathe?
It is a myth that the Tudors were dirty and rarely washed. However, it was difficult for ordinary people to have a bath because it was hard to heat a large amount of water at one time. In the summer, people sometimes had a bath in the local river.
How did Tudors go to the toilet?
Instead of a hole with a water channel or even just a pit, he had a thing called a cistern (Tank on the back of the toilet) it washed into this kind of funnel under the seat.
How did the Tudors smell?
Tudor England was not a place where everyone smelled as sweetly as most people who shower daily today, but its people generally managed not to stink. Of course, the past did smell differently. Even so, being clean and sweet-smelling did matter to many Tudors.
Do the Tudors still rule England?
There is also a sixth Tudor monarch, Jane Grey, who disputedly reigned for nine days, in between Edward VI and Mary I. The Tudors succeeded the House of Plantagenet as rulers of the Kingdom of England, and were succeeded by the House of Stuart....House of TudorFinal rulerElizabeth I7 more rows
Who was the last Tudor King?
Elizabeth IElizabeth I - the last Tudor monarch - was born at Greenwich on 7 September 1533, the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
Is the royal family York or Tudor?
House of Tudor, an English royal dynasty of Welsh origin, which gave five sovereigns to England: Henry VII (reigned 1485–1509); his son, Henry VIII (1509–47); followed by Henry VIII's three children, Edward VI (1547–53), Mary I (1553–58), and Elizabeth I (1558–1603).
Is Tudor still made by Rolex?
Registered in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, the brand remains a sister company to Rolex, both companies being owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation....Tudor Watches.IndustryWatchmakingFoundedGeneva, Switzerland, 1926FounderHans WilsdorfHeadquartersGeneva , SwitzerlandProduction outputc. 200,000 (2015)4 more rows
Who was the last Tudor monarch?
Elizabeth IElizabeth I - the last Tudor monarch - was born at Greenwich on 7 September 1533, the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
Is Tudor as good as Rolex?
Tudor watches are likewise high quality; when it comes to general, overall quality, they are in no way inferior to Rolex, and they feel great. Plus, enthusiasts can now celebrate the introduction of more and more in-house Tudor movements.
When did the York line end?
The reign of this dynasty ended with the death of Richard III of England at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. It became extinct in the male line with the death of Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick, in 1499.
When did the Tudors start?
The Tudors premiered on 1 April 2007; it was the highest-rated Showtime series in three years. In April 2007, the show was renewed for a second season, and in that month the BBC announced it had acquired exclusive broadcast rights for the series in the United Kingdom, which it started to broadcast on 5 October 2007.
When did the Tudors come out?
The Tudors premiered on 1 April 2007; it was the highest-rated Showtime series in three years.
What is the Tudors?
For the royal house, see House of Tudor. The Tudors is a historical fiction television series set primarily in 16th-century England, created and written by Michael Hirst and produced for the American premium cable television channel Showtime. The series was a collaboration among American, British, and Canadian producers, ...
What episode does Henry marry Anne?
In Episode 3 the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury annuls Henry's marriage, clearing the way for Henry to marry a by now pregnant Anne, which also increases the growing rift between England and Rome.
What did Henry do to Anne Boleyn?
Henry will do whatever it takes to marry Anne Boleyn, even defying Pope Paul III. He prepares to take Anne on a royal visit to France, having demanded loyalty from the English clergy. The papacy in Rome organises an assassination plot against Anne but the assassins' attempts fail.
What episode does Henry question his marriage to Catherine of Aragon?
He also has a string of affairs and fathers an illegitimate son in episode 2 with his mistress Elizabeth Blount, who is also one of Queen Katherine's ladies-in-waiting.
Where was the Tudors filmed?
The series was a collaboration among American, British, and Canadian producers, and was filmed mostly in Ireland.
Who were the Tudors?
The Tudors are the most famous English royal dynasty, their name remaining at the forefront of European history thanks to films and television. Of course, the Tudors wouldn’t feature in the media without something to grab people’s attention, and the Tudors — Henry VII, his son Henry VIII and his three children Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth, ...
Why were the Tudors important?
The Tudors are also important for their actions as much as their reputations. They ruled England during the era when Western Europe moved from the medieval to the early modern, and they instituted changes in government administration, the relationship between crown and people, the image of the monarchy and the way people worshiped. They also oversaw a golden age of English writing and exploration. They represent both a golden age (a term still in use as a recent film about Elizabeth I showed) and an era of infamy, one of the most divisive families in Europe.
How many wives did Henry VIII have?
Henry VIII. The most famous English monarch of all, Henry VIII is best known for his six wives, the result of a desperate drive to produce healthy male heirs to carry the Tudor dynasty forward.
Who was the only child of King Richard III?
Edmund’s only child Henry Tudor led a rebellion against King Richard III and defeated him at Bosworth Field, taking the throne himself as a descendant of Edward III. Henry, now Henry VII, married the heir to the House of York, effectively ending the Wars of the Roses. There would be other rebels, but Henry stayed secure.
Who was Owen Tudor?
Owen Tudor, a Welsh landowner, fought in the armies of King Henry V of England. When Henry died, Owen married the widow, Catherine of Valois, and then fought in the service of her son, Henry VI. At this time, England became divided by a struggle for the English throne between two dynasties, Lancastrian and York, called The Wars of the Roses.
Who was Henry VIII's youngest daughter?
Henry VIII’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth survived the plotting which threatened Mary, and which, in turn, cast doubt on the young princess, to become Queen of England when she might have been executed.
Who was the first queen of England?
Mary I. Mary was the first queen to rule England in her own right. A pawn of potential marriage alliances in her youth, although none came to fruition, she was also declared illegitimate when her father, Henry VIII, divorced her mother Catherine, and was only later brought back into the succession.
When did the House of Tudor end?
The end of the House of Tudor. On 24 March 1603 Queen Elizabeth I breathed her last and – left with no legitimate heir – the House of Tudor came to an end after more than 100 years on the English throne.
How old was Henry VIII when he was crowned?
Arguably one of the most infamous kings in history, Henry VIII came to the throne at the age of 17. He had little interest in ruling in the early years after he was crowned and instead focused on indulging in luxuries and sporting pursuits. It was only once he became interested in military strategy that he took more control of his royal affairs.
Why did Henry VIII wed Anne of Cleves?
Following Jane’s death, Henry VIII sought a new strategic marriage alliance and wed Anne of Cleves to ally with the Protestant German states. The marriage was over before it began, however – various reasons as to why have been explored but it seems likely that a lack of attraction on the part of the King played a significant role – and Anne agreed to an annulment.
Why did King Henry VII seek papal dispensation?
Determined not to lose the important alliance with Spain, King Henry VII was quick to seek a papal dispensation to allow Prince Henry to marry Arthur’s young widow though they were not wed until 1509. Henry VII’s reign was focused on reinforcing the legitimacy of his House’s claim on the crown, securing powerful alliances through ...
What happened to Anne and Henry?
After being married for only three years, Anne was tried for high treason, incest and witchcraft and was executed in May 1536.
What was Henry VIII's role in the Church of England?
A lengthy court battle followed which saw the English parliament enact laws to break ties with Rome, declaring Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
What was the effect of the Book of Common Prayer on Edward VI?
The release of the Book of Common Prayer caused the Prayer Book Rebellion, which hardened Edward VI’s attitude towards Catholic non-conformists , including his sister, Mary. When he became sick in 1553, he wrote a new will that repudiated the one written by his father and gave the throne to his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, the granddaughter of Henry VIII’s sister Mary Tudor.
Overview
Synopsis
Season 1 chronicles the period of Henry VIII's reign in which his effectiveness as king is tested by international conflicts and political intrigue in his own court. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey plays a major part, acting as Henry's trusted advisor.
In episode 1, Wolsey persuades Henry to keep the peace with France, and the two kings meet at Calais to sign a pact of friendship. The pressure of wanting a male heir compels Henry to questio…
Departures from history
Many events in the series differ from events as they actually happened in history. The series takes liberties with character names, relationships, historical costume, physical appearance, and the timing of events. As creator Hirst said, "Showtime commissioned me to write an entertainment, a soap opera, and not history. … And we wanted people to watch it." He added that some changes were made for production considerations and some to avoid viewer confusion, so "any confusio…
Reception
The premiere of The Tudors on 1 April 2007, was the highest-rated Showtime series debut in three years. On 23 March 2008, The New York Times called The Tudors a "primitively sensual period drama ... [that] critics could take or leave, but many viewers are eating up." A 28 March 2008 review, also by the New York Times, reported that "despite the scorching authenticity of some performances," in particular the "star-making, breakout performance of Natalie Dormer as t…
Ratings
In the United States, the first-season premiere drew almost 870,000 viewers. The premiere earned a combined one million views online and via cable affiliates.
Awards and nominations
The Tudors was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Drama Series in 2007. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was also nominated for the Best Actor in a Television Drama Golden Globe for his role.
The series was nominated for eight Irish Film and Television Awards in 2008 and won seven, including Best Drama Series, acting awards for Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Lead Actor), Nick Dunning (Supporting Actor) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (Supporting Actress), and craft awards for Costume …
See also
• List of The Tudors characters
• List of The Tudors episodes
Notes
1. ^ Bellafante, Ginia. "Nasty, but Not So Brutish and Short." The New York Times. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
2. ^ Gates, Anita. "The Royal Life (Some Facts Altered)." The New York Times. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
3. ^ "Showtime's Tudors continues reign." Variety. 12 April 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
Origins of The Tudors
Taking The Throne
- Owen’s son, Edmund, was rewarded for his family’s service by being raised to the Earl of Richmond by Henry VI. Crucially for his later family, Edmund married Margaret Beaufort, great-granddaughter of John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, a tenuous but vital claim to the throne. Edmund’s only child Henry Tudor led a rebellion against King Richard III and defeated him at Bo…
Henry VII
- Having defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, gained parliamentary approval and married a member of his rival family, Henry was crowned king. He took part in diplomatic negotiations to secure his position, making agreements at both home and abroad, before instituting a reform of government, increasing royal administrative control and improving the roya…
Henry VIII
- The most famous English monarch of all, Henry VIIIis best known for his six wives, the result of a desperate drive to produce healthy male heirs to carry the Tudor dynasty forward. Another consequence of this need was the English Reformation, as Henry split the English Church away from the Pope and Catholicism in order to divorce. Henry’s reign also saw the emergence of the …
Edward Vi
- The son which Henry VI much desired, Edward inherited the throne as a boy and died only six years later, his reign having been dominated by two ruling councilors, Edward Seymour, and then John Dudley. They carried on the Protestant Reformation, but Edward’s strong Protestant faith has led to speculation he’d have carried things further if he had lived. He is the great unknown i…
Lady Jane Grey
- Lady Jane Grey is the great tragic figure of the Tudor era. Thanks to the machinations of John Dudley, Edward VI was initially succeeded by Lady Jane Grey, fifteen-year-old great-granddaughter of Henry VII and devout Protestant. However, Mary, although Catholic, had far greater support, and Lady Jane’s supporters swiftly changed their allegiances. She was execute…
Mary I
- Mary was the first queen to rule England in her own right. A pawn of potential marriage alliances in her youth, although none came to fruition, she was also declared illegitimate when her father, Henry VIII, divorced her mother Catherine, and was only later brought back into the succession. On taking the throne, Mary took part in an unpopular marriage to Philip II of Spain and returned …
Elizabeth I
- Henry VIII’s youngest daughter, Elizabethsurvived the plotting which threatened Mary, and which, in turn, cast doubt on the young princess, to become Queen of England when she might have been executed. One of the nation’s most highly regarded monarchs, Elizabeth returned the country to the Protestant faith, fought wars against Spain and Spanish-backed forces to protect …
End of The Tudor Dynasty
- None of Henry VIII’s children had any lasting offspring of their own, and when Elizabeth I died, she was the last of the Tudor monarchs; she was followed by James Stuart from Scotland, the first of the Stuart dynasty and a descendant of Henry VIII’s eldest sister, Margaret. The Tudors passed into history. And yet they have enjoyed a considerable afterlife, and remain among the most fam…