Tudor Britain
The Tudors were a Welsh-English family that ruled England from 1485 to 1603 - one of the most exciting periods of British history. Henry VIII's matrimonial difficulties led to the split with Catholicism. Henry made himself head of the Church of England. Read more about Tudor Britain....
1485
The War of the Roses ends at the Battle of Bosworth. Henry Vll crowned king.
1497
John Cabot sails from Bristol aboard the 'Matthew' and discovers North America
1509 - 1547
Henry Vlll succeeds to the throne
1513
English defeat the Scots at the Battle of Flodden
1534
Henry VIII forms the 'Church of England'. Henry is confirmed as 'Supreme Head of the Church of England 'following a parliamentary Act of Supremacy
1536
Act of Union joins England and Wales
1536 - 39
Destruction or closure of 560 monasteries and religious houses
1542
Mary, Queen of Scots lays claim to the English throne
1558
Elizabeth I begins her 45 year reign
1570
Sir Francis Drake sets sail for his first voyage to the West Indies
1587
Queen Elizabeth I executes Mary, Queen of Scots
1588
The English defeat the Spanish Armada
1591
First performance of a play by William Shakespeare
1600
First British involvement in the Indian continent - East India Company formed.Population of Britain just over 4 million
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