Journey through 118 years of Tudor rule, from Henry VII's victory at Bosworth Field to Elizabeth I's death and the end of the dynasty.
Henry Tudor defeats Richard III to become Henry VII, founding the Tudor dynasty. Richard III is killed in battle, the last English king to die in combat.
During the reign of Henry VII
Henry VII marries Elizabeth of York, uniting the Houses of Lancaster and York and ending the Wars of the Roses. This union creates the Tudor Rose emblem.
During the reign of Henry VII
Arthur Tudor is born at Winchester, named after the legendary King Arthur. He is the first Tudor prince and heir to the throne.
During the reign of Henry VII
The future Henry VIII is born at Greenwich Palace. As the second son, he is initially destined for a career in the Church.
During the reign of Henry VII
Prince Arthur marries Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, strengthening England's alliance with Spain.
During the reign of Henry VII
Prince Arthur dies at Ludlow Castle, possibly of sweating sickness, just five months after his marriage. Henry becomes heir to the throne.
During the reign of Henry VII
Henry VII dies at Richmond Palace after 24 years on the throne. He leaves a stable kingdom and a full treasury to his son.
During the reign of Henry VII
Henry VIII is crowned at Westminster Abbey aged 17. He marries Catherine of Aragon, his brother's widow, just weeks before.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Mary Tudor is born to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon at Greenwich Palace. She is the only surviving child of their marriage.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII's illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy is born to Elizabeth Blount. He is later made Duke of Richmond and Somerset.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII meets Francis I of France near Calais in a spectacular display of wealth and pageantry, though no lasting alliance results.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII seeks an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, beginning the 'King's Great Matter' that will reshape English religion and politics.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII secretly marries Anne Boleyn, who is already pregnant with the future Elizabeth I. The marriage is made public in April.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Elizabeth Tudor is born at Greenwich Palace. Though a disappointment to Henry who wanted a son, she will become one of England's greatest monarchs.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Parliament passes the Act of Supremacy, declaring Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England, breaking from Rome.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Anne Boleyn is executed at the Tower of London on charges of adultery, incest, and treason. Henry marries Jane Seymour 11 days later.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII begins dissolving England's monasteries, seizing their wealth and lands. This transforms the English landscape and society.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Edward Tudor is born to Jane Seymour at Hampton Court Palace. Jane dies 12 days later from complications, leaving Henry devastated.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII begins building Nonsuch Palace in Surrey, intended to rival the French palaces. It becomes his most ambitious building project.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleves but finds her unattractive. The marriage is annulled after six months; she becomes his 'beloved sister'.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII marries the young Catherine Howard, cousin of Anne Boleyn. The aging king is briefly rejuvenated by his 'rose without a thorn'.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Catherine Howard is executed at the Tower of London for adultery. She was likely no more than 20 years old.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII marries Catherine Parr, his sixth and final wife. She proves a capable nurse and stepmother, surviving the king.
During the reign of Henry VIII
The Mary Rose, Henry VIII's flagship, sinks in the Solent while engaging French ships. Over 400 crew members perish as Henry watches from shore.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII dies at Whitehall Palace aged 55. His nine-year-old son Edward becomes king, beginning a period of religious upheaval.
During the reign of Henry VIII
Edward VI is crowned at Westminster Abbey aged nine. England moves toward Protestantism under his regency council.
During the reign of Edward VI
Thomas Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer is introduced, establishing English as the language of worship and standardizing Protestant services.
During the reign of Edward VI
Edward VI dies of tuberculosis aged 15. He attempts to exclude his Catholic sisters from the succession, naming Lady Jane Grey as heir.
During the reign of Edward VI
Lady Jane Grey is proclaimed queen but rules for only nine days before Mary Tudor's supporters triumph. Jane is later executed.
During the reign of Lady Jane Grey
Mary I becomes the first queen regnant of England. She immediately begins restoring Catholicism and papal authority.
During the reign of Mary I
Mary I marries Philip of Spain at Winchester Cathedral. The unpopular match makes England a junior partner in the Habsburg empire.
During the reign of Mary I
Mary I begins burning Protestant heretics, earning her the nickname 'Bloody Mary'. Nearly 300 people are executed during her reign.
During the reign of Mary I
England loses Calais to France, ending over 200 years of English presence in France. Mary reportedly says Calais will be found written on her heart.
During the reign of Mary I
Mary I dies at St James's Palace, possibly of influenza or cancer. Her half-sister Elizabeth succeeds her peacefully.
During the reign of Mary I
Elizabeth I becomes queen at age 25. Upon hearing the news, she reportedly quotes Psalm 118: 'This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.'
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth establishes a moderate Protestant church via the Act of Supremacy and Act of Uniformity, creating the 'via media' or middle way.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Mary Stuart flees Scotland and seeks refuge with Elizabeth. She becomes a focus for Catholic plots and remains imprisoned for 19 years.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Pope Pius V excommunicates Elizabeth I, declaring her a heretic and releasing her subjects from allegiance. This intensifies Catholic-Protestant tensions.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Francis Drake sets sail on his voyage around the world, returning in 1580 with treasure and having claimed California for England.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Mary Stuart is executed at Fotheringhay Castle for plotting against Elizabeth. Her death removes a Catholic rival but angers Catholic Europe.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
The English fleet defeats the Spanish Armada, ending the threat of Catholic invasion. Elizabeth delivers her famous Tilbury speech to her troops.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre opens on the South Bank. The Elizabethan era sees a flowering of English drama and literature.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, leads a failed rebellion against Elizabeth. He is executed for treason, breaking the aging queen's heart.
During the reign of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I dies at Richmond Palace aged 69, ending the Tudor dynasty. James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England, uniting the crowns.
During the reign of Elizabeth I