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Period: 1509 to 1547
Henry VIII's reign
King of England, he was the first king that apply divorce and had several spouses -
1534
Act of Supremacy
The king was made « Supreme Head of the Church of England ». -
1534
The Establishment of the Church of England
The Establishment of the Church of England and of a pre-modern state started in 1534 till 1603; right after the replacement of the Cardinal Wosley by Sir Thomas More under Henry VIII order, because of his choice of divorce with Catherine of Aragon. -
1536
Act of Union : The Integration of Wales into the Kingdom of England
In 1536, Henry VIII’s government integrated Wales into the Kingdom. -
1537
The English Bible
The English Bible was produced and made mandatory in churches, replacing Bibles in latin. -
1537
Pilgrimage of grace
In responses to the variables changes in the English Church, a lot of the people were against it. In Yorkshire and Lincolnshire it led to a revolt : the “Pilgrimage of Grace” (1536-37). -
1547
Edward VI’s Reign (1547-1553)
Right after the death of Henry VIII, his first heir Edward VI took the throne at the age of 9 years old.
Edward was a Protestant, and during his reign he tried to make the Church of England more Protestant by replacing every latin books to English ones in every churches.
He will die later on at the age of 15, in 1553. -
Period: 1547 to 1553
Edward VI’s Reign
Son and first successor of King Henry VIII, he became King at the age of 9 years old. he was the first English Monarch raised as a Protestant. -
1549
Publication of the Book of Common Prayer
Published in 1549, Edward being protestant, he tried to make the Church of England Protestant by replacing every latin books in every churches in the Kingdom. -
1553
Mary I's Reign (1553-1558)
Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Mary I became the first Queen regnant ever at the aged of 37.
She was the second heir in the succession line, after her half-brother Edward VI died the same year she became Queen.
She reigned till 1558, when she died of an illness. -
Period: 1553 to 1558
Mary I's Reign
Known as Bloody Mary, she was the first Female Monarch in the whole English Monarchy. Married to the Philip II King of Spain, she wanted to restore Catholicism. -
1558
Elizabeth I's Reign (1558-1603)
Elizabeth the First, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, third heir in succession; became Queen in 1558 after her late half-sister Queen Mary I death. -
Period: 1558 to
Elizabeth I's Reign
Queen Mary's sister, Elizabeth succeeded her to the throne after her death. She was the last of the five House of Tudor monarchs and was often referred as the "Virgin Queen" because she never married to anyone she was "married to the Kingdom of England". -
1559
Reaffirmation of the Act of Supremacy
Queen Elizabeth I reaffirmed the authority of the Queen over the Church, she became “Supreme Governor of the Church of England”.
Act of Uniformity : she established that every parish had to use the Book of common prayer, and people who did not attend an Anglican service were fined. -
1559
Act of Uniformity
Every parish must used the Book of common prayer, and people who did not attend an Anglican service were fined. Queen Elizabeth also reaffirmed the authority of the Queen over the Church, she became "Supreme Governor of the Church of England". -
1563
The 39th article of faith
Stated the doctrine of the Church, a revised and tamed version of Edward VI's 42 articles. -
1568
Scotland's civil war
Daughter of James V King of Scotland and Mary of Guise; widow of the French King Francis II, Mary Queen of Scots was very catholic and therefore against Queen Elizabeth reign.
When Scotland was in civil war, she had to escape in England, where she was imprisoned for 19 years. -
1569
Northern Rebellion
Even though Catholics represented only 1% of the population, they still had a huge impact on political life since a lot of them were aristocrats.
Animated by the Earls of Westmorland and Northumberland, they were back by 6000 insurgents.
Catholic plots to kill and replace Queen Elizabeth by Mary, Queen of Scots (Catholic and next heir in line).
But the rebellion was crushed. -
1570
Pope Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth
The Pope Pius V, which excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I, he deprived her of her right to rule, and released her subjects from obedience to her. -
Death of Mary Queen of Scots
After 18 years in captivity, Mary was found guilty of plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I.
She was executed in February 8, 1587 at the age of 44. -
Defeat of Spanish Armada
The King of Spain Philipp II sent many ships to attack the Kingdom of England to try to reinstate Catholicism and ban Protestantism in England. -
James I Reign (1603-1625)
Son of Queen Mary of Scots, he succeed Queen Elizabeth to the throne after her death.
He combined his title in England with his stature as King James VI of Scotland since 1567.
He ruled over Three Kingdoms (since England had also installed a parliament and government in Ireland). -
Period: to
James I Reign
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The Gunpowder plot
In November 1605, a group of conspirator (group of Catholics) planned to put some explosives under the Parliament. Their goal was to explode the Parliament and kill King James I. -
the Great Contract
Parliament stipulated that the King will receive a fixed sum for his annual expenses: The Crown was recognized as a proper administration.
But some feared that this will collide with the Parliament prominence on taxation and military expenses.
The House of Common refused to vote for it, and the King responded by dissolution of the Parliament in 1611. -
King James' Bible
The new English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was sponsored of King James I. -
Period: to
The Thirty Years' War
This war started and led by the Kingdom of England against Spain and France.
England had some defeats which had consequences on the local population as well as the finances of the Crown. -
Period: to
Charles I Reign
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Charles I Reign
Charles I was King from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. He was born into the House of Stuart as the second son of King James VI of Scotland. He became heir apparent to the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1612 upon the death of his elder brother, Henry Frederick.
He married the French, absolutist and Catholic princess Henrietta Maria and embraced a particular form of Anglican faith : Arminianism. -
Petition of Right
In June 1628, the King was forced to call Parliament again, and the Parliament issued the Petition of Right. They requested the King to recognise the illegality of extra-parliamentary taxation, billeting, martial law, imprisonment without trial.
They did not want to limit the King’s power as much but highlight that Charles I had been a bit too far and that the financial situation was out of control. -
The Three Resolutions
The MPs declared that whoever tried to bring in “Popery or Arminianism” or to alter the protestant forms of the Church of England was an enemy of the Kingdom ; as well as anyone advising the King to collect custom duties without Parliament’s consent.
Charles, in response, imprisoned these MPs and dissolved Parliament. He declared that there would be no more Parliament : the Personal Rule moment. -
Period: to
The Eleven Years Tyranny
King Charles will rule without Parliament. Which historians called this moment “The Eleven Years Tyranny” -
Period: to
Scottish Crisis
Also known as the Bishops Wars, several rebellions took place after the introduction of the new Book of the Common Prayer.
After a petition opposing the religious policy of King Charles I appeared, he made a recall to the Parliament twice, which ended the period of "Personal Rule". -
The Peace Treaty of Ripon
When the Scots covenanters invaded England. The peace treaty of Ripon was signed in October 1640 (England had to pay Scottish army treats). Charles I, in a catastrophic financial and political situation, had to call Parliament again.
This one will stand until 1660 : the long parliament. -
The Grand Remonstrance
The Irish Rebellion led to the Grand Remonstrance of 1641. Radical texts were adopted :
- The House of Common’s right to choose King’s ministers.
- Parliament’s right to control an army
- Parliament’s right to reform the church
It divided the country and the Parliament in two great factions: the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. -
The Irish Rebellion
In October 1641, a Civil War broke out : The Irish Rebellion.
Irish Catholics, fed up with their treatment as second class citizens and the plantation process in Ulster rose up and this turned into a violent riot : Massacre of 3000/4000 Protestants. -
The Civil War
August 1642, Charles formally declared war on Parliament. The Civil War has now officially started. It oppose the Cavaliers (Royalists) and the Roundheads (Parlementarians). It will cost the lives of 190 000 Englishmens from combats and diseases spread by the troops. -
Period: to
Civil War
Also called the Great Rebellion, it was a series of wars and plots between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists led by King Charles I. -
Charles I's evasion
Charles escaped from the custody of the army, and searched to ally himself with the Scots. He asked the Scottish army to invade England and to restore his power. In return, he promised to introduce Presbyterianism into England. This led to the Second Civil War. -
The Second Civil War
In the midst of all this radical agitation, the King escaped in November 1647, he forged an alliance with the Scots promising the installation of Presbyterianism over England : this led to the Second Civil War, from January to the Autumn of 1648.
But the Royalists revolts were easily defeated by Cromwell’s forces. -
Period: to
Second Civil War
The Second Civil War was a series of revolts in the South of England, Wales and Scotland, were the Royalists were defeated. -
The beginning of The Interregnum
After the execution of King Charles I, for more than a decade, England will be governed without a King. Oliver Cromwell will assume the role of the head of the State. A law abolished both the monarchy and the House of Lords. The House of Commons had all power, England was declared a Commonwealth (a Republic). -
The Second Irish Rebellion
In 1649, another Irish Rebellion broke out. Cromwell’s army repressed and installed a severe repression towards Catholics.
In 1649, massacre of both soldiers and civilian at Drogheda and Wexford. Spirit of revenge from the 1641 Irish Rebellion.
Catholicism forbidden, Irish priests arrested, Irish Catholic’s land confiscated. -
Period: to
The Interregnum
The period of gap between two Kings.
During this period of time, many forms of government were experimented, especially Republicans. -
Period: to
The Commonwealth
For more than a decade, England will be governed without a King. As Oliver Cromwell was the role of the head of the State (Lord Protector) during this time; this period led to many experiments of forms of government, without success. At the end, the failure to reach stability will favour a restoration of the King. -
King Charles I execution
On the 30th January of 1649, The King Charles I was Executed.
Monarchy and the House of Lords were abolished and England was declared a Commonwealth (a republic). -
The Government of the Commonwealth
The first and only written Constitution of England published. -
Period: to
Cromwellian Protectorate
Period of the Military Dictatorship (close to a monarchy) led by Oliver Cromwell. One of the biggest success of that time was the war against the Catholic Spain. -
Death of Oliver Cromwell
He dies due to complications relating to a form of malaria, and kidney stone disease. -
Period: to
Charles II's Reign
Son of the former King Charles I, Charles II had to left England after his defeat to Oliver Cromwell in 1651. After 1658 (the death of Cromwell), a political crisis took place in England, which lead to the restoration of the monarchy with Charles II as the King. -
Declaration of Breda
The Declaration of Breda was made by Charles II of England in which he promised a general pardon amnesty, the continuaton of religious toleration and the share of the power with Parliament in return of the restauration of monarchy. -
The Popish Plot
A rumor of a French plot organised to assassinate Charles II and replace him by his Catholic brother James II. This plot, invented by Titus Oates, led the Kingdoms of England and Scotland in an anti-Catholic hysteria. -
Death of Charles II
Charles II died after having a stroke in 1685. -
Period: to
James II's Reign
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King James II
James Stuart was King of England and Ireland as James II, and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II. He also was the last Catholic monarch of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Nowadays, his reign is remembered for conflicts over religious tolerance, but also for the struggles over the principles of absolutism and the divine right of kings. -
The Glorious Revolution
Also called the "Bloodless Revolution".
Since King James II did not have any male heir, the Parliament invited the husband of his daughter Mary, the Dutch prince William of Orange, to invade England and take the throne. He landed with an army of 20 000 men, but haven't met any resistance. That peace gave the name of a Glorious revolution to this event. After that, William became King William III and James II fled to France. -
William III's and Mary II's Reign
King James II didn't have any male heir, so his Protestant daughter Mary's husband, the Dutch prince William of Orange, who was Protestant too.
They reigned because the only son of the King James II, that he had with his second wife, was Catholic and Parliamentarians were afraid of the possible installation of a Catholic restoration. -
Period: to
William III's and Mary II's Reign
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The Bill of Rights
Mary and William undertook to defend The Bill of Rights, which definitively limited the power of the king to that of the English Parliament. The Constitutional Monarchy now replaces the Absolute Monarchy. -
Death of Mary II
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The Act of Settlement
The main aim of this legislation was to ensure a Protestant succession to the English throne and reinforced the Bill of Rights. -
Period: to
Queen Anne's Reign
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Queen Anne of Great Britain
William and Mary had no children, and after Mary's death William reigned alone until his own death when Anne, sister of Mary and last monarch of the House of Stuart, succeeded him.
During her reign, Anne favoured moderate Tory politicians, who were more likely to share her Anglican religious views than their opponents, the Whigs.
The Whigs grew more powerful during the course of the War of the Spanish Succession, until 1710 when Anne dismissed many of them from office. -
Death of William III
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Act of Union between England and Scotland
The Act of Union between England and Scotland, the result of what was made : the Kingdoms of England and Scotland united as a single Sovereign State known as Great Britain. -
King George I
George I was the first British monarch of the House of Hanover.
During his reign, the powers of the monarchy diminished and Britain began a transition to the modern system of cabinet government led by a Prime Minister.
Towards the end of his reign, actual political power was held by Robert Walpole, recognized as Britain's first prime minister. -
Period: to
The Georgian Era
This is the period of time where several Kings from the House of Brunswick ruled ont he throne of England. -
Period: to
King George I's Reign
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Death of Queen Anne
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First Prime Minister: Robert Walpole
Robert Walpole, a Whig, was the first Prime Minister of Britain. -
Period: to
King Georges II's Reign
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King George II
Son of George I, he succeed to the throne on June, 1727. -
Period: to
The Seven Year's War
It was the war for the settlement of English colonies:
Britain gained Florida over the Spanish and parts of Canada over the French. -
King George III
He was a monarch of the House of Hanover. His reign was marked by a series of military conflicts. -
Death of George II
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Period: to
King George III's Reign
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Period: to
The American War of Independence
During the American War of Independence, the British nation lost a large part of their colonies.
This war signed the end of the First English Empire. -
Declaration of Independence of the USA
The United States of America gained and signed their independence from Great Britain. -
The Treaty of Paris
After several years, Britain officially recognized the independence of the United States of America in the treaty of Paris. It officially ended the American Revolutionary War and overall state of conflict between the two countries. -
The French Revolution
During the French Revolution, Britain was fighting the revolutionary forces that was happening. -
The failed Irish Rebellion
Influenced by the Americans and the French Revolutions, an Irish uprising took place against the British rules in Ireland.
They were defeated, but very brutal actions took place. -
Act of Union
The creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801.