Timeline of the Tudor Dynasty

The Birth of Henry Tudor

Jan 28, 1457

Henry Tudor was the son of an English nobelman named Edward Tudor and his wife Margaret. Both Edward and Margaret had royal blood, but they were distant from having claim to the English throne. Edward died before the birth of his son, leaving Margaret a widow at the age of 13! Although Henry came from sad beginnings, he was destined for greatness. If you would like to learn more about Henry vii, visit this link. King Henry VII

Edward IV becomes king

Mar 4, 1461

Edward IV was part of the House of York. The House of York struggled against the House of Lancaster for many years. This struggle is know known as the Battle of the Roses. Eventually both the houses of York and Lancaster would be replaced by the Tudors.
If you would like to learn more about the struggle between the Yorks and the Lancasters follow this link:
War of the Roses

Birth of Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV

Feb 11, 1466

Elizabeth was the first child of King Edward IV. She would later go on to marry King Henry VII and become the mother of King Henry VIII.

Birth of Edward V

Nov 4, 1470

Edward V was born to King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth at the sanctuary in Westminister Abbey. This is an image of Edward V and his brother Richard who would later die tragically together.

Death of King Edward IV

Apr 9, 1483

King Edward IV died and his son Edward V was to become king. However, Edward V was never crowned because he was deposed by his uncle Richard III.

Death of Edward V

Sep 3, 1483

Edward V and his brother Richard were locked in the Tower of London by their maternal uncle Richard and assassinated. Here is a link if you would like to learn more about the princes locked in the tower:
Death of Edward V and Richard

Henry Tudor defeats Richard III

Aug 7, 1485

At the Battle of Bosworth Field, Henry's army fought against the army of King Richard III. Richard was killed in battle and Henry took control of England. If you would like to read more about the Battle of Bosworth Field, click on this link:
Battle of Bosworth Field

Henry Tudor ascends to the throne

Aug 22, 1485

At the age of 22, Henry Tudor became the king of England He was crowned at Westminister Abbey on the 30th if October, 1485. If you would like to learn more about the reign of King Henry VII, follow this link:
King Henry VII

Birth of Catalina of Aragon

Dec 16, 1485

Catalina was the youngest child of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile. Catalina was actually a descendent of the English royal house. She was named after her great grandmother Catherine of Lancaster. She married both Prince Arthur and King Henry VIII. If you would like to learn more about the life of Catalina, follow this link:
Catherine of Aragon

King Henry VII marries Elizabeth of York

Jan 18, 1486

In order to solidify his claim to the throne, Henry VII married Elizabeth of York. Elizabeth of York was the daughter of King Edward IV.

Birth of Prince Arthur

Sep 20, 1486

Arthur was the first child of Henry VII and Elizabeth, Arthur was named after King Arthur of Camelot. He was Prince of Wales as well as a Knight of the Garter. If you would like to learn more about the life of Prince Arthur, click on this link:
Arthur Tudor

Birth of Margaret Tudor

Nov 18, 1489

Margaret was the second child of Henry VII and Elizabeth. She later married King James Stuart IV of Scotland.

Birth of Henry VIII

Jun 28, 1491

Henry VIII was the third child of King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth. He would later become one of the most memorable kings of England.

Birth of Mary Tudor

Mar 18, 1496

Princess Mary was the youngest child of Henry VII and Elizabeth. She was known to be a very beautiful young woman and later became the Queen of France.

Prince Arthur marries Catatlina of Aragon

Nov 14, 1501

Catalina of Aragon was the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Catalina married Prince Arthur and her name was changed to Catherine.

Death of Prince Arthur

Apr 2, 1502

Prince Arthur died without an heir. His brother Henry VIII became the next heir to the throne. His wife Catherine became a widow, but she would not remain so for long.

Death of Queen Elizabeth

Feb 11, 1503

The death of Prince Arthur caused King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth to try and conceive another heir to strengthen their family´s power and to help overcome their grief. However, the child died the same day it was born and Elizabeth died nine days later of an infection.

Death of King Henry VII

Apr 21, 1509

King Henry died of tuberculocis at the age of 52. He accomplished some great things during his reign such as restoring the stability of the throne. However, some claim that his character was tainted by greed towards the end of his reign. If you would like to learn more about the life and reign of King Henry VII, follow this link
King Henry VII

Prince Henry VIII becomes king

Apr 21, 1509

After the death of his father, Prince Henry became King Henry VIII. Henry VIII is most famous for his multiple marraiges. King Henry married 6 women in order to produce a male heir. In this process, King Henry made a split from Catholicism and made himself the head of the Church of England. If you would like to learn more about KIng Henry VIII, follow this link
King Henry VIII

Marriage of Catherine and King Henry VIII

Jun 11, 1509

There were objections to the mariiage of Catherine and Henry VIII because it was against the Catholic faith for a man to marry his brother´s widow. However, Catherine claimed that her marriage to Arthur was never consumated. For this reason, the marriage was allowed.

Princess Mary Tudor is Born

Feb 18, 1516

Mary was the only child of Catherine and Henry VIII. She had a happy childhood, but since her mother was unable to produce any heirs Henry annulled their marriage and Mary was known as an illegitimate child.

Henry VIII annuls his marriage to Catherine

May 23, 1533

Henry claimed that his mariage to Catherine should be anulled because of her previous marriage to his brother.

Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

May 26, 1533

This marriage led to the break of the Catholic Church and the Church of England. Anne Boleyn was of noble blood, but nowhere near royalty. Henry VIII tried to convince Anne to become his mistress, but when she refused he was forced to divorce Catherine.

Birth of Elizabeth I

Sep 7, 1533

The only child of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Her mother was executed after the king failed to produce a male heir with her and Elizabeth was declared illegitimate as well.

Catherine of Aragon dies

Jan 7, 1536

Catherine died alone at Kimbolton Castle. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn celebrated when they heard the news of her death.

Anne Boyleyn is executed

May 19, 1536

Anne was accused of having an affair with her own brother. The marriage of Anne and Henry was dissolved 5 days before her exectuion. She was killed by having her head chopped off with a sword.

Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour

May 30, 1536

Henry VIII married Jane Seymour only eleven days after the execution of Anne Boleyn.

Edward VI is born

Oct 12, 1537

Henry VIII's only legitimate male heir was the son of Jane Seymour. He was born at Hampton Court.

Jane Seymour dies

Oct 24, 1537

The only wife of Henry VIII to be given a queen´s funeral. The cause of Jane´s death has been debated. It was most likely caused by an infection after she gave birth.

King Henry VIII dies

Jan 28, 1547

King Henry´s health deteriiorated in the later years oh his life and he died an extremely obese man. His reign changed the course of English history forever. You can read more information about the reign of King Henry VIII by following this link
Henry VIII

Edward VI becomes king

Feb 19, 1547

Edward VI became king at the age of nine after the death of his father. His reign was short and not very eventful. You can read more about Edward VI by following this link
Edward VI

Edward VI dies

Jul 6, 1553

King Edward VI died of tuberculosis at Greenwich Palace. He attempted tp proclaim Lady Jane Grey as his heir so that his Catholic sister Mary would not take the thrown. However, Jane was overthrown by Mary and her supporters only 9 days after she was proclaimed heir. She was executed.

Mary I Becomes queen

Jul 19, 1553

Mary married Phillip II of Spain, but was unable to produce any heirs. She became known as bloody mary because of the great number of people that she killed in her attempt to restore the Catholic faith to England. If you would like to learn more about the reign of Mary, follow this link
Bloody Mary

Queen Mary dies

Nov 17, 1558

Before Queen Mary died, she consented to her half sister Elizabeth becoming queen

Elizabeth becomes queen

Nov 19, 1558

Queen Elizabeth was the fimal monarch of the Tudor dynasty. One of the most significant things that Elizabeth did during her reign was to establish an English protestant church which is today the Church of England. She never married and for this reason she was known as the virgin queen.

Queen Elizabeth I dies

Mar 24, 1603

Since Queen Elizabeth never produced an heir, she made her cousin James VI of Scotland her heir. This united the kingdoms of England and Scotland. I f you would like to learn more about the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, follow this link
Queen Elizabeth I