The Tudor dynasty ruled England from 1485-1603, bringing about significant political, economic, social, and religious reforms. Henry VII founded the dynasty after the Wars of the Roses, uniting the feuding houses with his marriage to Elizabeth York and creating the Tudor Rose as a symbol of unity. The Tudor era saw a break from medieval British life, including the establishment of the Church of England and progressive policies such as state assistance for the disabled. The dynasty ended with the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, and the House of Stuart took over the British throne.
The Tudor dynasty was a family dynasty that ruled England from 1485-1603. During its time under the rule of the House of Tudor, England underwent a considerable number of political, economic, social and religious reforms which dramatically altered the future of the country and its people. Two of England’s most famous monarchs were members of the Tudor dynasty: Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I.
The founder of the Tudor dynasty was Henry VII, who emerged triumphant after the brutal Wars of the Roses which divided England between the houses of Lancaster and York. This period of civil war takes its name from the symbols of the warring houses; Lancaster was represented by a red rose, while York was represented by a white rose. Henry VII, a kinsman of the House of Lancaster, managed to secure the throne in 1485, establishing the Tudor dynasty, and quickly set about consolidating power in the hands of the monarch, stripping the nobility of much of their power in the interest of avoiding future uprisings and civil wars.
Henry VII wisely married Elizabeth York, uniting the feuding houses, and created a distinct symbol for the Tudor dynasty: the Tudor Rose, which has both red and white petals, to symbolize unity. Henry VII was succeeded by his son Henry VIII in 1509; Henry VIII was in turn followed by his son Edward VI in 1547. After Edward VI’s young death in 1553, Lady Jane Gray briefly held the throne of England before being followed by Mary I, who was succeeded by her sister Elizabeth I in 1558. The Tudor dynasty ended with the death of Elizabeth I in 1603.
The Tudor era was marked by a drastic change from medieval British life. The Tudors succeeded in changing England’s religion, breaking with the Catholic Church to establish the Church of England, and they also improved the health of the nation’s treasury as they took new approaches to matters such as foreign policy. Some of the Tudor dynasty’s policies were also quite progressive; Elizabeth I, for example, provided through-state assistance to people too disabled to work under the Poor Law.
After Elizabeth I died childless, Henry VII’s great-grandson assumed the British throne, establishing the House of Stuart, which united Britain and Scotland. The House of Stuart was finally dissolved in 1714.
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