CHAPTER FIVE
The Tudors came from bastard stock. Henry VII’s mother, Margaret Beaufort, was a descendant of John Beaufort, the first of the natural children born to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his mistress, Katherine Swynford. Henry’s father, Edmund Tudor, was the offspring of the liaison between Henry V’s widow, Katherine of France, and the Welsh squire, Owen Tudor. Possibly these two married in secret, but no proof of this has ever been discovered; in the 15th century, their children were looked upon as bastards, with all the handicaps that imposed upon inheritance. Not for them a Statute conferring legitimacy, as had been the good fortune of the Beaufort bastards of Katherine Swynford when her lover Gaunt at long last made her his wife. Yet even to this there was a sting in the tail: for while the Beauforts were recognised as legitimate by a Statute of Richard II, they were soon afterwards debarred by Henry IV from ever inheriting the throne.
Henry VII was the only child of his parents; his father died before his birth and his mother remarried (she had been but 13 years old at the time of his birth, and never bore another child). Henry was exiled from England by Edward IV, while still a child, and spent his youth in the courts of France and Brittany with his uncle and staunch supporter, Jaspar Tudor. Both were loyal to Henry VI and the House of Lancaster, and after the death of Henry VI and his son Edward, Henry Tudor was seen by many as the natural heir to the Lancastrian claim to the throne of England, despite his legal ineligibility to fulfil such a role. There were no other heirs of the blood of Lancaster. And it was the crown of England that Henry meant to have. On Christmas Day, 1483, in the Cathedral of Rennes in Brittany, he vowed to marry Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, and thus unite the red and white roses of Lancaster and York. Henry must have known at this date that Edward V and his brother were dead; Elizabeth had been declared a bastard, and if Henry was to claim the throne through marrying her, this could only be accomplished if her brothers had predeceased her. Two years later, in August, 1485, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and became King of England. In January, 1486, he kept his vow and married Elizabeth, who had been legitimated in his first Parliament; the slight delay between Henry’s accession and his marriage served only to emphasise that Henry’s crown was his by right of conquest and of descent (significantly, he dated his reign from the day before Bosworth), and not through union with Elizabeth of York.
Thus was founded the Tudor dynasty, a dynasty that, as if to compensate for its precarious claim to the throne, was to be the most splendid and successful of all the English Royal Houses. During the 118 years of Tudor rule, England emerged from the mediaeval world as a modern state, prosperous and proud of itself. It was, however, a revolutionary age and a brutal one. Henry VIII declared himself Head of the Church of England and severed for ever all links with the Church of Rome. Under Elizabeth, the Protestant Anglican Church became firmly established. Voyages of discovery were opening up the wider world and trade flourished. The old nobility found themselves being replaced by ‘new men’, who had risen through ability or wealth rather than noble lineage. Yet in this same age that witnessed the spread of the humanist ‘new learning’ and the flowering of the English Renaissance, thousands were executed for heresy or treason, often with appalling barbarity. There was no ‘niceness’ about the Tudor monarchs: they did what they saw as necessary thoroughly and ruthlessly, although by 1603, when Elizabeth I died, some of the power of government had devolved upon Parliament, so often consulted by successive Tudor monarchs to lend support and legality to revolutionary measures, and eventually insisting upon being consulted and giving approval as a right. The Tudors’ parliamentary legacy to their successors was no easy one, and would in time, given the ineptitude and obstinacy of Charles I, lead to civil war.
Yet while they were powerful and capable monarchs, the Tudors were never quite secure on the throne. During the first fifty years of their rule, too many members of the House of York remained alive for the new dynasty to feel secure. Later, threats to the succession would be posed by the Grey family and by Mary, Queen of Scots. But it was the surviving members of the House of York who constituted the worst threat, as there was no doubt in the minds of many that their title to the throne was far more valid than that of the Tudors. In fact, in 1485, when Henry VII acceded to the throne, there were then living 18 people with a better right to it than he, including his own wife and mother. By 1510, this figure had increased by about 16 more persons, born with Yorkist blood in their veins.
Of course, many of these heirs of York were women. Although the Salic Law had no validity in England (unlike in France, where women were debarred from inheriting the throne), memories of the Empress Matilda, whose attempt in the 12th century to rule England had resulted in bloody civil war, had led to an enduring prejudice against the notion of a female sovereign. Women were considered unfit to rule over men, and no one seriously thought of espousing the cause of any of the Yorkist women. Ironically, it would be left to the Tudors themselves to demonstrate that a female sovereign could rule very successfully.
It was the male members of the House of York who were the thorn in the side of the Tudors. Some died young, and of the eight who survived to be serious contenders for the throne, two chose a life of retirement away from public life, and were not molested. Two died in battle, one of them an exile fighting under a foreign banner. Four were executed. Both Henry VII and Henry VIII were cognisant of the weakness of their claim to the throne, and dealt ruthlessly with any would-be rivals. Mention should be made of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, niece of Edward IV and Richard III, who, at the age of nearly 68, was beheaded in an horrific manner on the orders of Henry VIII, on a trumped-up charge of treason. Lesser members of her family were imprisoned by that monarch, and left to rot in the Tower. By then, the danger from the House of York had been virtually eliminated, although junior sprigs of the Plantagenet tree were being sent to the Tower as late as the reign of Elizabeth I.
To give his dynasty a sound title to the throne, Henry VII had to go back beyond the Plantagenets, the Normans, and the Saxon Kings, to the legendary Arthur, the ancient British kings, and the Welsh Prince Cadwaladr, whose red dragon appeared on Henry’s standard. He claimed descent from all these, through Rhys ap Tewdwr, Prince of Deheubarth in Wales, who died in 1093. Henry even named his eldest son after King Arthur to emphasise the link between the Tudors and ancient royalty. The message was clear: he was the true successor to Arthur and Cadwaladr and their ilk; all those who had come since were the real usurpers.
The dynasty survived, but it did not flourish. The succession was an ongoing problem, because the Tudors were not a fruitful family: many of its members were sickly, or died young. Henry VIII took drastic measures to get a male heir, taking six wives in the process, divorcing two, and beheading two more, as well as creating a schism in the Church. He was not just a man of lusts: nobody wanted a return to the dynastic warfare of the previous century, and Tudor prosperity had done much to make the new dynasty popular. Henry’s only surviving son Edward VI did not live to marry, and there was then no alternative but for the country to turn to a female as its ruler. But Mary I, after suffering two tragic phantom pregnancies, did not live long. Her sister Elizabeth I had a long and glorious reign, but her solution to the succession problem was to remain unmarried, a choice she seems to have made for both political and personal reasons. For fear of factions forming around a designated successor, she kept her subjects guessing to the last whom she would name as her heir. It was, of course, her cousin, James VI of Scotland, a descendant of Henry VII, and founder of the House of Stuart in 1603.
Henry VII
FATHER: Edmund
He was the son of Owen Tudor by Katherine of France, widow of Henry V, and he was born in c.1430, either at Much Hadham Palace, Herts., or at Hadham, Beds. He was created Earl of Richmond on 23 November, 1452. He married Margaret Beaufort in October, 1455, at Bletsoe Castle, Beds. He died on 1 November, 1456, at Carmarthen Castle, Wales, and was buried in the Church of the Grey Friars, Carmarthen. His remains were later transferred to St David’s Cathedral, Wales.
MOTHER: Margaret
She was the daughter of John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset ( 
see here, under Edward III), by Margaret de Beauchamp, and she was born on 31 May, 1443, at Bletsoe Castle, Beds. She married firstly John de la Pole, later Duke of Suffolk (d.1491), between 28 January, 1449, and 18 August, 1450, but the marriage was annulled before 24 March, 1453, and de la Pole later married Elizabeth, sister of Edward IV. Margaret married secondly Edmund Tudor. After his death, she married thirdly Sir Henry Stafford (d.1471) between c.1459 and 1464. She married fourthly Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby (1435?–1504), before October, 1473 (or October, 1482?), although she had taken a vow of perpetual chastity. She was made a Lady of the Garter in 1488. She died on 29 June, 1509, at the Abbot’s House, Cheyney Gates, Westminster Abbey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
SIBLINGS: Henry VII did not have any siblings.
HENRY VII
He was born on 28 January, 1457, at Pembroke Castle in Wales, and was Earl of Richmond from birth, being his father’s posthumous child. He was deprived of the earldom of Richmond before 12 August, 1462. He succeeded Richard III as King of England on 22 August, 1485, after the Battle of Bosworth (he dated his reign from 21 August, the day before Bosworth), and was crowned on 30 October, 1485, in Westminster Abbey.
Henry VII married, on 18 January, 1486, at Westminster Abbey:
Elizabeth
She was the daughter of Edward IV by Elizabeth Wydville, and she was born on 11 February, 1466, at the Palace of Westminster. She was crowned Queen Consort on 25 November, 1487, in Westminster Abbey. She died on 11 February, 1503, in the Tower of London, in childbed, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Issue of marriage:
1 Arthur
Called Arthur to emphasise the new dynasty’s links with the Kings of ancient Britain, he was born on 19/20 September, 1486, at St Swithun’s Priory, Winchester. He was Duke of Cornwall from birth. He was made a Knight of the Bath on 29 November, 1489. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 29 November, 1489, and was invested as such on 27 February, 1490, at the Palace of Westminster. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 8 May, 1491. He died on 2 April, 1502, at Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, and was buried in Worcester Cathedral. Arthur married, by proxy on Whitsunday, 1499, at the manor of Bewdley, Worcs., again by proxy on 19 May, 1501, at Bewdley, and in person on 14 November, 1501, at St Paul’s Cathedral, London:
Katherine
She was the daughter of Ferdinand V, King of Aragon, by Isabella I, Queen of Castile, a descendant of John of Gaunt, and she was born on 16 December, 1485, at Alcala de Henares in Spain. After the death of Arthur, she married secondly Henry VIII ( see here, under Henry VIII for further details of her life).
2 Margaret ( see here, under James IV of Scotland, whom she married).
3 Henry VIII ( see here).
4 Elizabeth
She was born on 2 July, 1492, and died on 7 October or 14 November, 1495, at Eltham Palace, Kent, of ‘atrophy’. She was buried in Westminster Abbey.
5 Mary
She was born on c.18 March, 1495/6, either at Richmond Palace, Surrey, or at the Palace of Westminster. She married firstly Louis XII, King of France (1462–1515), by proxy on 13 August, 1514, at Greyfriars Church, Greenwich Palace, again by proxy on 2 September, 1514, at the Church of the Celestines in Paris, and in person on 9 October, 1514, at Abbeville Cathedral, France. She was crowned on 5 November, 1514, at St Denis’ Cathedral, Paris. She married secondly Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (1484–1545), secretly on 3 March, 1515, at the Chapel in the Palais de Cluny, Paris, and in public on 13 May, 1515, in the Church of the Observant Friars, Greenwich, Kent, and had issue:
1 Henry, Earl of Lincoln (1516–1534).
2 Frances ( see here, under Queen Jane).
3 Eleanor (1519–1547); she married Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland (1517–1570), and had issue.
Mary died on 25 June, 1533, at Westhorpe Hall, Suffolk, and was buried in the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk; her remains were later removed to St Mary’s Church, Bury St Edmunds.
6 Edmund
He was born on 21 February, 1499, at Greenwich Palace, Kent; he was perhaps styled Duke of Somerset from birth, but was never formally so created. He died on 19 June, 1500, at the Old Palace, Hatfield, Herts., and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
7 Edward
He was the fourth and youngest son. The dates of his birth and death are not known. He died very young, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
8 Katherine
She was born on 2 February, 1503, in the Tower of London, and died there on c.18 February, 1503. She was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Henry VII also had the following illegitimate issue:
By a Breton lady whose name is not known:
1 Roland de Velville, Constable of Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey; he married a Welshwoman, and had issue.
HENRY VII
He died on 21 April, 1509, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
He was succeeded by his son Henry.
Henry VIII
FATHER: Henry VII ( see here).
MOTHER: Elizabeth of York ( see here, under Henry VII).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under Henry VII).
HENRY VIII
He was born on 28 June, 1491, at Greenwich Palace, Kent. He was made a Knight of the Bath on 31 October, 1491, and created Duke of York on 31st October, 1494. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 17 May, 1495. He succeeded his brother Arthur as Duke of Cornwall on 2 April, 1502, and was created and invested as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 18 February, 1504, at the Palace of Westminster. He succeeded his father as King of England on 22 April, 1509, and was crowned on 24 June, 1509, in Westminster Abbey. In 1521, he added to the royal style the title ‘Fidei Defensor’ (‘Defender of the Faith’), conferred upon him by Pope Leo X. This title is still borne by the Queen today. Henry styled himself King of Ireland from 1542.
Henry VIII married firstly, on 11 June, 1509, in the Queen’s closet at Greenwich Palace, Kent:
Katherine
She was the daughter of Ferdinand V, King of Aragon, by Isabella I, Queen of Castile, a descendant of John of Gaunt, and she was born on 16 December, 1485, at Alcala de Henares in Spain. She married firstly Henry’s elder brother Arthur, Prince of Wales, in 1501 ( see here, under Henry VII). She was crowned Queen Consort on 24 June, 1509, in Westminster Abbey. Her marriage to Henry VIII was annulled on 23 May, 1533, by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, on the grounds that she had been the wife of her husband’s brother and that, according to the Levitical Law, her second marriage was uncanonical and incestuous, and the Pope had no power to dispense in such a case. She died on 7 January, 1536, at Kimbolton Castle, Hunts., probably of cancer, and was buried in Peterborough Cathedral. Her original tomb was destroyed in 1642, but its site may still be seen, and her bones still lie beneath the flagstones.
Issue of marriage:
1 Stillborn daughter
She was born on 31 January, 1510.
2 Henry
He was born on 1 January, 1511, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, and was Duke of Cornwall from birth. He was also styled Prince of Wales. He died on 22 February, 1511, at Richmond Palace, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
3 Unnamed son
He was born in November, 1513, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, and was Duke of Cornwall from birth. He died in November, 1513, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
4 Unnamed son
He was born in February, 1515, at Greenwich, and died soon after birth. While he lived, he was Duke of Cornwall.
5 Mary I ( see here).
6 Unnamed daughter
She was born on 10 November, 1518, and died the same day.
Henry VIII married secondly, in secret, on 25 January, 1533, at York Place, London:
Anne
She was the daughter of Thomas Boleyn or Bullen, 1st Earl of Wiltshire and Ormonde, by Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. She was born around 1500/1501 at Blickling Hall, Norfolk. She was created Lady Marquess of Pembroke in her own right (the first time a female had been created a peer in her own right) on 1 September, 1532. She was crowned Queen Consort on 1 June, 1533, in Westminster Abbey. On 15 May, 1536, Anne Boleyn was tried and found guilty of high treason, and condemned to death in the Great Hall of the Tower of London. Her marriage to Henry VIII was declared invalid on 17 May, 1536; the grounds for this are not known. She was executed on 19 May, 1536, on Tower Green, within the Tower of London, and was buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London.
Issue of marriage (declared illegitimate on 17 May, 1536):
1 Elizabeth I ( see here).
2 Stillborn child? (sex unknown).
It was born in August/September, 1534; this was nearly a full-term pregnancy, but details of the birth were kept secret.
3 Stillborn son
He was born on 29 January, 1536, at Greenwich Palace.
Henry VIII married thirdly, on 30 May, 1536, at Whitehall Palace, London:
Jane
She was the daughter of Sir John Seymour by Margaret, daughter of Sir Henry Wentworth of Nettlestead, Suffolk, and she was born in 1507/8, probably at Wulfhall in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire. She was never crowned. She died on 24 October, 1537, at Hampton Court Palace, in childbed, and was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Issue of marriage:
1 Edward VI ( see here).
Henry VIII married fourthly, on 6 January, 1540, at Greenwich Palace:
Anne
She was the daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, by Mary, daughter of William III, Duke of Jülich and Berg, and she was born on 22 September, 1515, at Düsseldorf, Cleves, Germany. Her marriage to Henry VIII was not consummated, and it was annulled on 9 July, 1540, on the grounds of Anne’s alleged precontract with the Duke of Lorraine. Anne died on 16 July, 1557, at Chelsea Old Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. There was no issue of the marriage.
Henry VIII married fifthly, on 28 July, 1540, at Oatlands Palace, Surrey:
Katherine
She was the daughter of Lord Edmund Howard by Joyce or Jocasta, daughter of Sir Richard Culpeper, and she was born in c.1525, either at Lambeth in London, or at Horsham, Sussex. She was never crowned. Katherine was attainted for high treason, and was executed on 13 February, 1542, on Tower Green within the Tower of London. She was buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London. There was no issue of the marriage.
Henry VIII married sixthly, on 12 July, 1543, at Hampton Court Palace:
Katherine
She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parr by Maud, daughter of Sir Thomas Green of Green’s Norton, Northants., and she was born probably in 1512 at her father’s house at Blackfriars, London. She married firstly Edward de Burgh, 2nd Baron Borough of Gainsborough (1463–1528) after 26 June, 1526. She married secondly John Neville, 3rd Baron Latimer (1493–1542), perhaps in 1530, and certainly before the end of 1533. After the death of Henry VIII, her third husband, she married fourthly Thomas Seymour, 1st Baron Sudely (1508?–executed 1549), brother of Queen Jane ( above), shortly before the end of April, 1547, and had issue:
1 Mary (1548–?); she either died young in c.1560, or grew up and married Sir Edward Bushel, and had issue. However, the evidence for this marriage dates from the 18th century only, and should therefore be regarded with caution.
Katherine died on 7 September, 1548, at Sudely Castle, Gloucs., in childbed, and was buried in Sudely Castle Chapel. There was no issue of her marriage to Henry VIII.
Henry VIII also had the following illegitimate issue:
By Elizabeth Blount (1502?–1539/41), daughter of Sir John Blount of Kinlet, Shropshire, afterwards wife of Gilbert, Lord Tailboys:
1 Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset (1519–1536); he married Mary (1519?–1557), daughter of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. He was the only bastard acknowledged by Henry VIII.
By Joan Dobson or Dingley:
2 Ethelreda or Audrey (d.1555); she married John Harington, and had issue.
By Mary Berkeley (?):
3 Sir John Perrot (1527?–1592) (?).
By an unknown mother:
4 Thomas Stucley or Stukely (1525?–1578) (?); he married Anne Curtis. It is highly unlikely that Henry VIII was the father of Thomas or Sir John Perrot.
HENRY VIII
He died on 28 January, 1547, at Whitehall Palace, London, and was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
He was succeeded by his son Edward.
Edward VI
FATHER: Henry VIII ( see here).
MOTHER: Jane Seymour ( see here, under Henry VIII).
SIBLINGS: Edward VI did not have any full siblings.
EDWARD VI
He was born on 12 October, 1537, at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, and was Duke of Cornwall from birth. He succeeded his father as King of England on 28 January, 1547, and was crowned on 20 or 25 February, 1547, in Westminster Abbey.
EDWARD VI
He died unmarried on 6 July, 1553, at Greenwich Palace, Kent, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
He was succeeded by his second cousin Lady Jane Grey.
Queen Jane
FATHER: Henry
He was the son of Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset, by Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Wotton, and he was born on 17 January, 1517. He married firstly Katherine (d. after 1552), daughter of William FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel, before 1530. He succeeded his father as Marquess of Dorset, Baron Ferrers of Groby, Baron Harington and Baron Bonville on 10 October, 1530. He repudiated his first wife before 1533, and married secondly Frances Brandon in May, 1533, at Suffolk Place, Southwark, London. He was made a Knight of the Bath on 30 May, 1533, and a Knight of the Garter on 17 February, 1547, and was created Duke of Suffolk, in right of his wife, on 11 October, 1551. Henry was attainted, and his estates were declared forfeit, on 17 February, 1554, as a result of his treasonous involvement in Wyatt’s rebellion against Mary I; he was executed on 23 February, 1554, on Tower Hill, London, and was buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London.
MOTHER: Frances
She was the daughter of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, by Mary, daughter of Henry VII, and she was born on 16 July, 1517, either at Bishop’s Hatfield, Herts., or at Westhorpe Hall, Suffolk. After the execution of her first husband, the Duke of Suffolk, she married secondly Adrian Stokes (1533–1585), her Master of Horse, on 9 March, 1554, and had issue:
1 Elizabeth (b.&d. 1554).
2 Son (d. young).
3 Son (d. young).
Frances died on 20 or 21 November, 1559, at the Charterhouse, Sheen, Surrey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
SIBLINGS:
1 Unnamed brother
He died young before 1537.
2 Unnamed sister
She died young before 1537.
3 Katherine
She was born in August, 1540, perhaps at Dorset House, Westminster. She married firstly Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke (after 1538–1601), on 25 May, 1553, at Durham House, Strand, London. The marriage was annulled in 1554, and Katherine married secondly Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford (1539–1621), in secret around November/December, 1560, at Hertford House, Cannon Row, Westminster, and had issue:
1 Edward, Baron Beauchamp (1561–1612); he married Honora (d. after 1608), daughter of Sir Richard Rogers of Bryanston, Dorset, and had issue.
2 Thomas (1563–1619); he married Isabella, daughter of Edward Onley of Catesby, Northants.
3 Edward (d.1602); his existence is doubtful.
4 Katherine (d. young); her existence is doubtful.
Katherine’s union with Edward Seymour was declared ‘no marriage’ on 12 May, 1561, and deemed never to have taken place; it was, however, declared valid in 1608. Katherine died on 26/27 January, 1568, at Cockfield Hall, Yoxford, Suffolk, and was buried in Yoxford Church, Suffolk. Her remains were later removed to Salisbury Cathedral.
4 Mary
She was born in 1545, and was a hunchback. She married Thomas Keyes (d.1571) on 10 or 12 August, 1564/5, at the Water Gate Lodge, by the Palace of Westminster. She died on 20 April, 1578, at the Barbican, by Red Cross Street, London, and was buried either in St Botolph’s Church, Aldersgate, London, or in Westminster Abbey.
QUEEN JANE
She was born in October, 1537, at Bradgate Manor, Leics. The Will of Henry VIII left the crown, in order of succession, to his children, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, and then, if their lines failed, to the heirs of his sister Mary, Duchess of Suffolk. When Edward VI died on 6 July, 1553, the Duke of Northumberland, who had governed the country in the boy King’s name as Lord Protector, wished to see the continuance of his own power and the maintenance of the newly-established Protestant religion in England. The next heir, Mary Tudor, was a staunch Catholic, therefore it had not been difficult for Northumberland to persuade the dying Edward – a fervent Protestant – to sign a Device changing his father’s Will. Mary was set aside, and also Elizabeth, whose religious convictions were uncertain, and the crown was willed by Edward to Lady Jane Grey, bypassing her mother Frances, who was rightful Queen after Mary and Elizabeth. Jane was proclaimed Queen of England on 10 July, 1553.
Queen Jane married, on 25 May, 1553, at Durham House, Strand, London:
Guilford
He was the son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, by Jane, daughter of Sir Edward Guilford, and he was born in 1536. He was executed on 12 February, 1554, on Tower Hill, London, and was buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter and Vincula within the Tower of London. There was no issue of the marriage.
QUEEN JANE
She reigned for only nine days. The people of England rallied to the cause of Mary Tudor, and Jane, the usurper, was deposed on 19 July, 1553. She was executed on 12 February, 1554, on Tower Green, within the Tower of London, in the aftermath of Thomas Wyatt’s rebellion. Jane was buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula within the Tower of London.
She had already been succeeded by her second cousin Mary.
Mary I
FATHER: Henry VIII ( see here).
MOTHER: Katherine of Aragon ( see here, under Henry VIII).
SIBLINGS: ( see here, under Henry VIII).
MARY I
She was born on 18 February, 1516, at Greenwich Palace, Kent. She was proclaimed Queen of England upon the deposition of Queen Jane on 19 July, 1553, although her regnal years were dated from 24 July. She was crowned on 1 October, 1553, at Westminster Abbey. She assumed the title Queen of Spain upon the accession of her husband, Philip II, to the throne of Spain on 16 January, 1556.
Mary I married, on 25 July, 1554, at Winchester Cathedral:
Philip
He was the son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, by Isabella, daughter of Manuel I, King of Portugal, and he was born on 21 May, 1527, at Valladolid, Spain. He married firstly Mary (1527–1545), daughter of John III, King of Portugal, on 12 November, 1543, at Salamanca, Spain, and had issue:
1 Charles (Don Carlos) (1545–1568).
Philip was designated King of Naples, Jerusalem and Savoy in preparation for his marriage to Mary I (to give him equal rank), and was made a Knight of the Garter on 24 April, 1554. He succeeded his father as King of Spain on 16 January, 1556. After Mary’s death, he married thirdly Elizabeth (1545–1568), daughter of Henry II, King of France, in 1559 at Toledo, Spain, and had issue:
1 Unnamed daughter (b.1564).
2 Unnamed daughter (b.1564).
3 Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566–1633); she married Albert, Archduke of Austria (1559–1621).
4 Katherine Michela (1567–1597); she married Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy (1562–1630).
5 Unnamed daughter (b.&d.1568).
Philip married fourthly Anne (1549–1580), daughter of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1570 at Segovia, Spain, and had issue:
1 Ferdinand (1571–1578).
2 Edward (1575–1582).
3 Philip III, King of Spain (1578–1621); he married Marianna (1584–1611), daughter of Charles, Archduke of Austria, and had issue.
4 Mary.
Philip became King of Portugal in 1580. He died on 13 September, 1598, at the Palace of the Escorial, Madrid, Spain, where he is buried in the mausoleum. There was no issue of his marriage to Mary I.
MARY I
She died on 17 November, 1558, at St James’s Palace, London, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
She was succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth.
Elizabeth I
FATHER: Henry VIII ( see here).
MOTHER: Anne Boleyn ( see here, under Henry VIII).
SIBLINGS: Elizabeth I did not have any full siblings.
ELIZABETH I
She was born on 7 September, 1533, at Greenwich Palace, Kent. She succeeded her half-sister Mary I as Queen of England on 17 November, 1558, and was crowned on 15 January, 1559, at Westminster Abbey.
ELIZABETH I
She died unmarried and childless, and probably a virgin, on 24 March, 1603, at Richmond Palace, Surrey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
She was succeeded by her third cousin, James VI of Scotland.
Elizabeth I was the last Tudor monarch.