The Tudors
King Henry VII 1485 – 1509 Henry gained the throne when he defeated and killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. The battle ended the War of the Roses, a dispute between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. Kept England peaceful and brought riches to the crown and country. King Henry VIII 1509 – 1547 Second son of Henry VII. Henry succeeded to the throne because his elder brother Arthur died in 1502. His first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was Arthur's wife. The best known fact about Henry VIII is that he had six wives! Argued with the Pope and made himself the head of the new 'Church of England'. Most school children learn the following rhyme to help them remember the fate of each wife: "Divorced, Beheaded, Died: Divorced, Beheaded, Survived".
Queen Mary I (Bloody Mary) 1553 – 1558 Daughter of Henry VIII and Katharine of Aragón. Married Philip II of Spain. Wanted to make England Catholic again. Killed many who opposed her which is why she is remembered as Bloody Mary.
Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. During her reign great adventurers discovered many new lands. Fought off the Spanish Armada. Named James VI of Scotland her heir, uniting the two countries Scotland and England. Elizabeth I was the last ever Queen of England. From now on the monarch, although living in England, would be known as the Monarch of the United Kingdom.
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