The Tudors
The Church of England
When the Pope refused to allow Henry to divorce
his first wife, it made him very angry. He wanted Tudor Kings and Queens
to get his own way and so he made his own
strand of Christianity, calling it the Church of
Henry VII – 1485-1509
England. He named himself as head. That way,
he gave himself permission to divorce Catherine!
Henry’s Children
Henry VIII – 1509-1547
After Henry VIII died in 1547, three of his children
went on to rule England. His son, Edward VI,
was very young when he became King and died
when he was just 15. Mary I was known for
being cold-hearted but Elizabeth I was the most Edward VI – 1547-1553
famous of all. She was Queen for 44 years, until
she died in 1603, ending the Tudor period.
Jane Grey – July 1553
Did You Know...?
Lady Jane Grey became Queen
after Edward VI died. She only
reigned for nine days before
Mary I was announced as Mary I – 1553-1558
Queen!
Elizabeth I – 1558-1603
Glossary
Pope: Head of the Roman Catholic Church.
reign: To rule as king or queen.
Spanish Armada: A fleet of warships from Spain that attacked England.
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Tudor Timeline
1502-1503 1547 1553 1588
Agreed peace Edward VI Mary I becomes The Spanish
with Scotland. becomes King. Queen. Armada is defeated.
1485 1509 July 1553 1558 1603
Henry VII becomes King. Henry VIII Lady Jane Grey Elizabeth I Elizabeth I dies. The
Tudor period begins. becomes King. becomes Queen. becomes Queen. Tudor period ends.
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The Tudors
Questions
1. Who was the first Tudor to rule England?
King Henry VII
King Henry VIII
Queen Mary I
Queen Elizabeth I
2. Where does the name ‘Tudor’ come from?
3. Whose family symbols came together to create the Tudor Rose?
4. Explain how you think Henry VIII felt in 1509. Think of two different emotions and explain
why you think he felt that way.
5. Explain how Henry VIII’s first wife was already known to the family.
6. He wanted to get his own way and so he made his own strand of Christianity, calling it
the Church of England.
Imagine you are the Pope. Write Henry VIII a short message explaining how you feel about
what he has done.
7. Which two women did Henry VIII divorce?
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The Tudors
8. Match the numbers to these events in the text, so that they are in order. The first one has
been done for you.
The Spanish Armada is defeated.
1 Henry Tudor defeated Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth.
Elizabeth I becomes Queen.
Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn.
Henry VII died in 1509.
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Answers
The Tudors
1. Who was the first Tudor to rule England?
King Henry VII
King Henry VIII
Queen Mary I
Queen Elizabeth I
2. Where does the name ‘Tudor’ come from?
‘Tudor’ is the surname of the kings and queens during the Tudor period. The first one
was Henry Tudor.
3. Whose family symbols came together to create the Tudor Rose?
Henry Tudor’s family symbol (red rose) and Elizabeth of York’s family symbol (white
rose) came together to create the Tudor Rose.
4. Explain how you think Henry VIII felt in 1509. Think of two different emotions and explain
why you think he felt that way.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: In 1509, Henry VIII became King. He probably felt really
happy about being King but really sad that his father had died.
5. Explain how Henry VIII’s first wife was already known to the family.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: Henry VIII’s first wife was Catherine of Aragon. She had
been married to Henry’s brother so the family would already have known her.
6. He wanted to get his own way and so he made his own strand of Christianity, calling it
the Church of England.
Imagine you are the Pope. Write Henry VIII a short message explaining how you feel about
what he has done.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: Dear Henry VIII, I am very disappointed that you have
broken away to create the Church of England. As the head of all Roman Catholics, I
need to tell you to stay true to the teachings of God.
7. Which two women did Henry VIII divorce?
Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves.
8. Match the numbers to these events in the text, so that they are in order. The first one has
been done for you.
5 The Spanish Armada is defeated.
1 Henry Tudor defeated Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth.
4 Elizabeth I becomes Queen.
3 Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn.
2 Henry VII died in 1509.
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