SESSION 1 Britain and the Wider World in Tudor Times Overview The wider world The Tudors ruled Britain during a fascinating and fast-changing century. There was a shift in the distribution of power and wealth from the East to Europe, setting in place the pattern of Western supremacy that we still see today. This change in power involved a destructive clash of cultures and wars. The voyages and exploits of European explorers like Christopher Columbus, fall within the Tudor period. The clashes of culture and belief between these European adventurers and the inhabitants of the lands they went to provide rich material for citizenship education. This was also the century of the great religious split in the Christian Church, where new Protestant beliefs challenged the authority of the Pope and the practices of the Catholic Church. Both Europe and Britain saw fierce conflict between the Protestant reformers and the power of the traditional Church. The Catholic vs Protestant struggle continued throughout the 16th century and well beyond. During the period a radical Protestant movement emerged - the Puritans. In England the Tudor dynasty ruled England for 118 years, from 1485 to 1603. It was dominated by the long reigns of Henry VIII (38 years) and Elizabeth (45 years). There were numerous plots and rebellions against the Tudors, but no civil war, unlike the previous and subsequent centuries. The Tudor period was heavily influenced by the European Renaissance (rebirth), it was a time of widening horizons, of adventuring, of scientific and technological development, of artistic flowering, and of thrusting entrepreneurs. It was also a dangerous time, as the fall of powerful figures demonstrates (e.g. Wolseley, Cranmer, Anne Boleyn, Essex). Tudor society was hierarchical, with steep divides between men and women, and rich and poor. Some classes, like the gentry, expanded and grew wealthy, building houses of stone and brick with glass in the windows. The poor became poorer, partly because of the loss of common land after the enclosure of medieval fields - thousands roamed the country as vagrants. During the century the population rose, as did violent crime. By 1603 England was stable, prosperous and influential. It had become a largely Protestant, and very nationalistic, country.
TRUE OR FALSE?
During this period religious split happened during this period. The Catholic vs Protestant struggle do not continued throughout the 16th century The Tudor period was influenced by the European Renaissance. Tudor society was hierarchical. In 1603 England was a prosperous country.
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