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Some Say That The Tudor Period Was So Turbulent Because of Religious Discord

The Tudor period in British history from 1485-1603 saw significant religious and political turbulence. King Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England after the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Religion changed frequently depending on the beliefs of the reigning monarch. Henry VIII also executed two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, in his desperate pursuit of a male heir to secure the Tudor lineage despite already having two daughters. This religious discord and struggle to produce a male heir led to much instability and suffering among the English people during the Tudor era.

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156 views1 page

Some Say That The Tudor Period Was So Turbulent Because of Religious Discord

The Tudor period in British history from 1485-1603 saw significant religious and political turbulence. King Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England after the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Religion changed frequently depending on the beliefs of the reigning monarch. Henry VIII also executed two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, in his desperate pursuit of a male heir to secure the Tudor lineage despite already having two daughters. This religious discord and struggle to produce a male heir led to much instability and suffering among the English people during the Tudor era.

Uploaded by

Danijela
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Some say that the Tudor period was so turbulent because of religious discord, others blame the issue

of the male
heir. Discuss and provide your opinion.

The most exited period in British history was for sure the Tudor period. The Tudors were a Welsh English family that
ruled England and Wales from 1485. to 1603. The Tudor era started with the monarch king Henry the VII. who
claimed the throne by defeating Yorkist king Richard the III. His son Henry the VIII. is well known for his private life
and religious influence which we can say is the beginning of complications and turbulence.

Although a change of religion seems as a serious reform it was caused by Henry VII private life. He broke with Rome
because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with his wife Catherine of Aragon because divorce was against
church policy. It was beginning of the English reformation which culminated in the establishment of the Anglican
church under Elizabeth I. Religion in England changed depending on the weaves of the monarch and people often
felt confused. They were told to change what they believed, how they worshipped God and how they decorated
churches. His daughter Mary I unlike him was a devote Catholic. She changed religion to Catholic again and the
Pope became the head of the church. During the last three years of her reign, 300 leading Protestants who would
not accept catholic believes were burned to death at the stake. That was the reason why they called her “Bloody
Marry”. After Marry I died queen Elizabeth I came on throne and England was again Protestant nation. The Anglican
became firmly established and dominant. She tried to find ways which the both protestant and catholic said would
accept and be happy. She did not call herself the head of the church of England, like her father Henrry VII, instead
she was known as “Supreme governor of the English church.” The religious discord in England caused a great
insecurity and many victims of English nation.

In every monarchy it was the most important to provide a male heir of the throne. Henry VII was the great king and
he could not accept the fact that he would be succeeded by female heir. He already had two daughters but without
son his Tudor heritage was jeopardized. He was desperate to have a male heir under any circumstances. One thing
that wasn’t in his favor was that the law in England didn’t allow the woman to rule and became an independent
queens, because it was expected from them to marry and that way their husband would became the king and rule
on their behalf. The other reason was just his pride, reputation and selfish attitude that he is known for. As Ann
Boylen, because who he changed the religion of the whole nation, couldn’t provide him a son he accused her to be
beheaded so he can marry Jane Seymour who finally gave him a male heir. After the death of his beloved wife Jane
and his son he married four more times. Many wives died with cruel death and all because male heir which finally
he never had.

In my opinion religion and heritage is not a god enough reason for all the suffer and sacrifice of the English nation. I
know that the kings also have some rules by which they should live but a god king always listen his people and
trying his best to be rightful ruler and above all a god person. The Tudors were successful rulers because in spite
religious changes the nation prospered, and economy developed so the people could have a better life.

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