The Tudors Timeline 1485-1603

Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was proclaimed King on the same day, beginning the dynasty of the Tudors.

Henry Tudor was crowned King Henry VII of England.

A daughter, Catherine, was born to Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille, the monarchs of Spain.

Henry VII married Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. The marriage united the houses of Lancaster and York and ended the thirty year conflict known as the Wars of the Roses.

A son, Arthur Tudor, was born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at St Swithun’s Priory.

Elizabeth of York was crowned Queen of England.

Battle of Stoke
Henry VII defeated the forces of the pretender to the throne, Lambert Simnel. Simnel had claimed to be Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick. Son of King Edward IV’s younger brother, George Duke of Clarence.

Treaty of Medina el Campo
This treaty was an agreement between England and Spain that would be sealed with the marriage of Catherine of Aragon, Princess of Spain, and Prince Arthur, heir to the Tudor crown. Henry hoped that this alliance with Spain would enhance the status of the Tudors.

A daughter, Margaret Tudor, was born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at Westminster Palace.

A second son, Henry Tudor, was born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at Greenwich Palace,London

Henry VII gave the Tudor explorer John Cabot a patent to find land in the New World, which had recently been discovered by Christopher Columbus.

A second daughter, Mary Tudor, was born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at Richmond Palace, London.

The pretender to the throne, Perkin Warbeck was captured and imprisoned. Warbeck had claimed to be Richard Duke of York, son of King Edward IV, brother to Henry VII’s wife, Elizabeth of York.

An outbreak of plague killed around 30,000 people.

The pretender Perkin Warbeck was executed at Tyburn.

A second daughter, Anne, was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Boleyn.

Prince Arthur married Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Treaty of Perpetual Peace
This treaty between England and Scotland provided that each King would put an end to the border disputes and would not make war on each other or assist each other’s enemies. A Perpetual peace was to last for the lifetime of each king and their legitimate heirs and successors. The allies of each country were to be given the opportunity to be included in the treaty. The treaty would be sealed with the marriage of Princess Margaret to King James IV of Scotland.

Prince Arthur, heir to the throne, died of an unknown illness at Ludlow Castle.

Prince Henry, now heir to the throne, was betrothed to his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon.

Henry VII’s daughter, Margaret Tudor, married King James IV of Scotland at Holyrood Abbey.

Henry VII made his son, Prince Henry, publicly repudiate his betrothal to Catherine of Aragon. Henry wanted his son free to enable him to make alternative marriage negotiations that would be more beneficial for England and the Tudors.

There was an outbreak of sweating sickness in England.

A daughter, Jane, was born to John Seymour and his wife Margery Wentworth at Wulfhall, Wiltshire.

Henry VII died of tuberculosis at Richmond Palace. He was succeeded by his son, Henry who took the throne as King Henry VIII.

Henry VIII married his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon at the Church of Observant Friars.

King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon were crowned King and Queen of England.

A son, Henry, was born to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon at Richmond Palace.

Henry VIII’s son, Henry died.

A daughter, Katherine, was born to Maud, wife of Sir Thomas Parr.

A son, James, was born to Margaret Tudor and James IV of Scotland.

Henry VIII invaded France at the head of his army.

Battle of Flodden Field
The English defeated the Scots army that had invaded England. King James IV of Scotland was killed.

Margaret Tudor acted as regent for the young King James V of Scotland.

Henry VIII’s sister, Mary Tudor, married King Louis XII of France. The marriage was part of a peace agreement between England and France.

King Louis of France died leaving Henry’s sister, Mary, a widow.

Mary Tudor secretly married Charles Brandon at the chapel in the Palais de Cluny, Paris. The new King of France, Francis I, witnessed the marriage.

Although he was furious that Mary and Brandon had married without permission, Henry VIII agreed that they could return to England providing that they repay the cost of Mary’s marriage to the French King.

A daughter, Anne, was born to Maria, wife of John Duke of Cleves at Dusseldorf in Germany.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey became Lord Chancellor of England.

A daughter, Mary, was born to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon at Greenwich Palace.

Reformation
In Germany, Martin Luther sent a letter to Archbishop Albert of Mainz, requesting that the sale of indulgences stop. He included a copy of his work ‘Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences’ also known as the ’95 Theses’. The story is traditionally told that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg but this is now disputed as being symbolic rather than an actual act. Nevertheless, this marks the beginning of the Reformation.

The Treaty of London
This treaty of mutual support was signed by representatives of Burgundy, France, England, the Netherlands, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain and the Papal States. The treaty agreed that if any one country was attacked the others would come to their aid.

Henry VIII’s mistress, Elizabeth (Bessie) Blount gave birth to a son, Henry Fitzroy.

The Field of the Cloth of Gold
This was a summit meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I of France. The name of the event is derived from the cloth of gold tents that were erected on the site.

The Treaty of Bruges
This treaty was signed by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Henry VIII. The secret treaty agreed a joint invasion of France within the next two years.

Henry VIII was given the title Defender of the Faith by the Pope after he wrote the book Fidei Defensor which denounced Protestantism.

Anne Boleyn joined the court of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

A daughter, Kathryn was born to Jocasta, wife of Edmund Howard. She was the niece of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.

Henry’s illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, was created Duke of Richmond.

Henry VIII began to pursue Anne Boleyn as a love interest.

The Treaty of Westminster
This treaty united France and England against the Holy Roman Empire and was signed by Henry VIII and Francis I of France..

Divorce Crisis
Henry began to have serious doubts about the validity of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon sparking what became known as the Divorce Crisis.

An ecclesiastical court was convened at Westminster to hear Henry VIII’s concerns regarding his marriage and to consider whether it should be annulled. The court concluded that they were not qualified to judge the case and that it should be referred to Rome.

Henry VIII separated from Catherine of Aragon.

Henry VIII wrote to the Pope requesting an annulment of his marriage. The Pope sent Cardinal Campeggio to hear the case.

An outbreak of sweating sickness killed 100,000 people across Europe.

Cardinal Campeggio opened his legatine court at Black Friars in London.

Henry and Catherine of Aragon appeared before Campeggio’s legatine court.

Henry VIII removed Cardinal Wolsey from the post of Chancellor due to his failure to secure his divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

Thomas More reluctantly accepted the post of Lord Chancellor of England.

Thomas Wolsey died en route to London to be tried for treason.

Members of the King’s council unsuccessfully tried to persuade Catherine of Aragon to enter a convent. This was desired since it would leave Henry free to re-marry and have a son and heir to continue the Tudors.

Henry sent Catherine of Aragon away from court. He also refused her permission to see her daughter, Mary.

Supplication Against Ordinaries
This was a list of grievances against the Church and included questions regarding the right of the Church to make its own laws and the legality of ecclesiastical courts. Henry VIII was proclaimed Head of the Church in England.

Thomas More and Bishop Fisher refused to sign the Submission of the Clergy which made Henry head of the Church in England.

Thomas More resigned as Lord Chancellor of England.

Pope Clement VII told Henry VIII that unless he returned to his lawful wife he would be excommunicated.

Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn in the private chapel in Whitehall Palace.

Thomas Cranmer became Archbishop of Canterbury.

Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England.

Henry VIII’s sister, Mary Tudor, died at Westhorpe, Suffolk.

Pope Clement VII excommunicated Henry and his council.

A daughter, Elizabeth Tudor, was born to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn at Greenwich Palace, London. She was named after her grandmother, Elizabeth of York.

Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, married Mary Howard, daughter of the Duke of Norfolk.

The Act of Annates was passed. The act determined that bishops in England would be chosen by the King.

The Act of Succession settled the succession on the children of Henry and Anne Boleyn. There was also a requirement for all of the king’s subjects to swear an oath to uphold the act.

Thomas More was imprisoned in the Tower of London for refusing to swear the Oath of Succession.

Anne Boleyn was delivered of a stillborn baby.

The Act of Supremacy declared that Henry VIII was Head of the Church in England. The reigning monarch has held the title ever since.

Bishop John Fisher was beheaded on Tower Hill for refusing to sign the Act of Succession and accept Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church in England.

Anne Boleyn suffered a miscarriage.

Sir Thomas More was executed by beheading for refusing to sign the Act of Succession and accept Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church in England.

Henry VIII began pursuing Jane Seymour as a love interest.

An Act of Union joined England and Wales and made Henry VIII King of both.

Hans Holbein the Younger was appointed court painter. He was given a salary of £30 per year (£14,000 today).

Catherine of Aragon died.

King Henry VIII suffered a fall during a joust that left him unconscious for two hours.

Closure of the Monasteries
A bill was presented to Parliament that authorised the closure of all monasteries with a revenue of less than £200 per year.

Anne Boleyn was arrested on a charge of treason for having committed adultery with four men, Henry Norris, Francis Weston, William Brereton and Mark Smeaton; and committing incest with her brother George Boleyn.

Anne Boleyn was executed by beheading for treason on Tower Green.

Henry VIII married Jane Seymour at Whitehall Palace, London.

Succession Act
This new act settled the succession of the Tudors on the children of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. Like her half-sister, Mary, Princess Elizabeth was now declared illegitimate and given the title Lady Elizabeth.

Dissolution of the monasteries began. Over the course of three years more than 500 monasteries were closed.

Henry’s illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, died of tuberculosis.

The Pilgrimage of Grace began. It was a rebellion against the English Reformation and the closure of the monasteries led by Robert Aske.

A son, Edward, was born to Henry VIII and Jane Seymour at Hampton Court Palace. Henry was overjoyed that he had a son to continue the dynasty of the Tudors.

Jane Seymour died from puerperal fever.

Statute of Six Articles
This statute was forced through a reluctant parliament and listed six cardinal doctrines of Catholic belief which Henry wished to preserve in the English church:
1. Transubstantiation was not to be denied
2. There was to be communion of one kind for the laity
3. Members of the clergy were to remain celibate
4. Religious vows were to be permanent
5. Private masses were to be made available
6. Auricular confession was to be used
Those refusing to comply with the new doctrine would face loss of property and liberty for a first offence and death for a second.
The passing of the Six Articles was a triumph for the Conservative faction and a blow for those who had hoped to see more radical church reform.

A treaty of marriage, arranged by Thomas Cromwell, agreed the betrothal of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves.

Despite the fact that he did not like his bride, Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves at Greenwich Palace.

Henry VIII began pursuing Kathryn Howard as a love interest.

Thomas Cromwell was charged with high treason.

The marriage of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves was annulled. As a gift for agreeing to the annulment of the marriage, Anne was given Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, a pension for life and was made an honorary sister to the King.

Henry VIII married Kathryn Howard at Oatlands Palace.

Kathryn Howard appointed her former lover Francis Dereham as her private secretary.

Henry VIII’s sister Margaret died in Scotland.

Kathryn Howard was arrested and charged with treason for committing adultery.

The Crown of Ireland Act declared that Henry and descendant kings of England would also be King of Ireland .

Kathryn Howard was executed by beheading for treason.

Battle of Solway Moss
This battle between the English and the Scots was a resounding victory for the English army.

A daughter, Mary was born to James V of Scotland and his wife Mary of Guise.

James V of Scotland died. His infant daughter, Mary became Queen of Scotland.

Henry VIII married Katherine Parr at Hampton Court Palace.

James V’s daughter Mary, aged 9 months, was crowned Queen of Scots.

A new Succession Act settled the succession on the children of Henry VIII – Edward, Mary and Elizabeth.

Thomas Wriothesley became Lord Chancellor.

Henry VIII led an army into France.

Henry VIII took Boulogne for England.

Henry VIII’s Tudor warship the Mary Rose sank in the Solent.

Henry VIII established the English navy.

King Henry VIII died at Whitehall Palace. He was succeeded by his son, Edward who became King Edward VI of England, Ireland and Wales.

Edward Seymour gained approval of the majority of the council for him to have the title “Protector of all the realms and dominions of the King’s Majesty”.

Katherine Parr secretly married Edward VI’s uncle, Sir Thomas Seymour.

Katherine Parr died 6 days after giving birth to a daughter, Mary Seymour.

The Act of Uniformity introduced the Protestant Book of Common Prayer. All other prayer books were forbidden as was the Catholic mass.

Thomas Seymour was arrested and charged with treason for plotting to marry Lady Elizabeth and to abduct King Edward.

Thomas Seymour was executed by beheading.

There were protests in the West of England against the Book of Common Prayer and the very pro Protestant policy of the King.

John Dudley, Earl of Warwick became leader of the Council. His most pressing concern was the economic situation of the country. England was virtually bankrupt, having borrowed large sums of money.

Edward VI contracted smallpox. The illness left him physically weak.

Devise for the Succession
Edward VI nominated Lady Jane Grey, granddaughter of Henry VIII’s sister Mary, to be his successor. This move was to continue the Protestant reformation of the Tudors, rather than allow Catholic Mary to become queen.

Edward VI died. As directed by Edward, Lady Jane Grey became Queen. She reigned for nine days, the shortest reign of the Tudors and all Kings and Queens to date.

Henry VIII’s daughter Mary became Queen Mary I of England, Wales and Ireland. She vowed to restore Catholicism to Britain. Jane Grey was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Bishop Stephen Gardiner was released from imprisonment and was created Lord Chancellor of England

Mary, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, was crowned Queen Mary I.

Lady Jane Grey was executed by beheading on Tower Green, London.

Thomas Wyatt led a rebellion against Mary I and her pro-Catholic policies.

Princess Elizabeth was arrested and taken to the Tower of London. Mary was worried that Protestant factions would try to put Elizabeth on the throne in her stead.

Princess Elizabeth was moved from the Tower of London and placed under house arrest at Woodstock.

Mary I married Philip II of Spain at Winchester Cathedral.

The Second Act of Repeal made null and void all religious laws passed since 1529.

The public burning of Protestants began. John Rogers was the first of 284 people, including Bishops Ridley, Latimer and Gardiner as well as Thomas Cranmer, to be burned at the stake.

Catholic Cardinal Reginald Pole was made Archbishop of Canterbury.

England declared war on France.

Anne of Cleves died at Chelsea Old Palace, London.

The French took Calais which had been in English hands for two centuries.

Mary Queen of Scots married the Dauphin of France, Francis, at Notre Dame Cathedral.

Mary I died, disappointed that she had not had a child to keep the reign of the Tudors Catholic. She was succeeded by her sister, Elizabeth, who became Queen Elizabeth I of England, Ireland and Wales.

Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth I at Westminster Abbey.

The Act of Uniformity made Protestantism the official faith of England. The Act of Supremacy made Elizabeth Supreme Head of the Church in England.

Mary Queen of Scots’ husband, Francis II of France, died.

John Hawkins began English involvement in the slave trade.

William Shakespeare was christened in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Mary Queen of Scots married Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.

A son, James, was born to Mary Queen of Scots and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley at Edinburgh Castle.

Mary Queen of Scots was implicated in the murder of her husband, Lord Darnley.

Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate the throne in favour of her infant son who became James VI of Scotland.

Mary Queen of Scots fled to England and sought the protection of Elizabeth I.

A number of northern Catholic nobles mounted a rebellion against the rule of Elizabeth I. They wanted to replace her with Mary Queen of Scots.

Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth I.

Francis Drake returned to England having circumnavigated the World.

Francis Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I.

Sir Walter Raleigh established a colony on Roanoke Island which he named Virginia after the Virgin Queen Elizabeth.

The Babington Plot was uncovered. Anthony Babington had sent secret coded letters to Mary Queen of Scots organising her escape from imprisonment and her overthrow of Elizabeth as Queen.

Mary Queen of Scots was executed at Fotheringhay Castle.

The Spanish Armada that invaded English waters was defeated by the English navy.

Elizabeth’s councillor, Francis Walsingham, died.

James VI of Scotland married Anne of Denmark.

William Shakespeare wrote his first play, Henry VI part 1.

Elizabeth’s councillor, Sir William Cecil, died.

The East India Company was founded.

The Poor Law was introduced. This law distinguished between deserving and undeserving poor.

Elizabeth I died. The reign of the Tudors ended as the next in line to the throne was James Stuart, King of Scotland. James became King James I of England, Ireland and Wales and James VI of Scotland. He declared himself King of Great Britain.