The Tudors Henry VII, Henry VIII

The tudors

Wars of the Roses, (1455–85), in English history, the series of dynastic civil wars whose violence and civil strife preceded the strong government of the Tudors. Fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne, the wars were named many years afterward from the supposed badges of the contending parties: the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster.

The Wars of the Roses were a series of bloody civil wars for the throne of England between two competing royal families: the House of York and the House of Lancaster, both members of the age-old royal Plantagenet family. Waged between 1455 and 1485, the Wars of the Roses earned its flowery name because the white rose was the badge of the Yorks, and the red rose was the badge of the Lancastrians. After 30 years of political manipulation, horrific carnage and brief periods of peace, the wars ended and a new royal dynasty emerged.

Henry VII was the King of England and first monarch of the ‘Tudor Dynasty.’ He attained the throne after defeating the last king of the House of York, Richard III, at the last significant battle of the “Wars of the Roses”. He went on to secure his claim to the throne by getting married to Elizabeth of York, niece of Richard III. During his reign, he made efforts to strengthen the English monarchy. He introduced several economic, administrative, and diplomatic measures. He also introduced policies in an attempt to restore stability, power, and peace, while creating economic prosperity. Upon his death, his son Henry VIII succeeded the throne.

Henry VIII of England was the King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. A son of Henry VII, he was the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty, succeeding his father. An arrogant and autocratic ruler, he brought about radical changes in the English Constitution and greatly expanded royal power, asserting the King’s supremacy over the Church of England. During his reign he earned the title of 'Father of the Royal Navy’, as he was known for his love of maintaining a strong naval force with several warships built with the latest technology and fitted with modern guns. Politically ambitious, he was aided by several prominent figures like Thomas Wolsey, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Richard Rich, and Thomas Cranmer in the implementation of his plans. Henry VIII was equally notorious for his six marriages and several scandalous love affairs.

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