Why do historians celebrate the Tudors in different ways?

1. The usurpation of Rome had been abolished. Magic and witchcraft had given way to a real religion. Yet still the genius of change went onward. Henry sought to accomplish something unquestionably genuine and good, which might bear fruit at a future time. The true commentary on the Government of Henry VIII is to be looked for in the reigns of his immediate successors, in the establishment of a new order of things. As the nation moved the King moved, leading it but not outrunning it. The constitution of these islands now rests in large measure on foundations laid in Henry’s reign. Henry VIII broke through ancient practice and threw himself on the representatives of the people.’ From Chapter 23 of J. A. Froude’s History of England, 1893

2. Why do historians celebrate the Tudors in different ways? Changed religion for the better Listened to his people Helped future monarchs

3. Why do historians celebrate Henry VIII in different ways? 1529-1536: The Reformation Parliament (Break with Rome) 1642-49: English Civil War 1460-1: Edward (IV) battles Henry VI 1549: Edward VI’s new Prayer Book 1485: Henry Tudor kills Richard III at Bosworth 1450 1500 1550 1600 1650 1558-9: Elizabeth’s Acts of Supremacy & Uniformity 1605: Gunpowder Plot 1536-1539: Dissolution of the monasteries 1688: In the Glorious Revolution, Catholic King James II is overthrown 1470: Margaret helps husband Henry VI win back the throne – but not for long! 1483: Edward IV dies and his sons are killed; their uncle Richard III takes power 1555-1558: Mary I burns c.284 Protestants as part of her Counter-Reformation Wars of the Roses Tudors Stuarts

4. Why do historians celebrate the Tudors in different ways? Many of us Victorians are proud of our Parliament and think it is the greatest in the world. We love how Henry made Parliament more important. Many of us Victorians are Protestant and suspicious of Catholics. We are therefore proud of how Henry broke with Rome Changed religion for the better Listened to his people Helped future monarchs

5. Written by the children of the Reformation, the Reformation has become where the story of the ‘real’ Tudors begins; but the Tudors were the children of an earlier period. It was the promise of peace, and the healing of old wounds, that was the raison d’etreof the Tudor dynasty, symbolised in the image of the union rose, representing national reconciliation and redemption. To understand the Tudors we must remember their context, which was shaped by their fifteenth-century past, not the post-Reformation era which informs our views. Ensuring peace and harmony was a vital duty of kingship and the Tudors always looked back for examples and warnings’. From the book Tudor: The Family Story by Leandra de Lisle

6. Why do historians celebrate the Tudors in different ways? Learnt from previous mistakes Brought about peace Maintained peace

7. Why do historians celebrate the Tudors in different ways? 1642-49: English Civil War 1460-1: Edward (IV) battles Henry VI 1536: Henry VIII defeats Pilgrimage of Grace 1554: Mary defeats the Wyatt rebellion 1485: Henry Tudor kills Richard III at Bosworth 1450 1500 1550 1600 1650 1605: Gunpowder Plot 1558: Elizabeth defeats the Spanish Armada 1688: In the Glorious Revolution, Catholic King James II is overthrown 1470: Margaret helps husband Henry VI win back the throne – but not for long! 1483: Edward IV dies and his sons are killed; their uncle Richard III takes power 1549: Edward VI’s gov’t defeats Western & Kett’s rebellions Wars of the Roses Tudors Stuarts

8. Why do historians celebrate the Tudors in different ways? Learnt from previous mistakes Many people think that the world today is unsafe. Historians like me are interested in how to bring about safety and security. Fewer people are religious today so we might not be so interested in religious change (although we certainly do talk about it too!) Brought about peace Maintained peace