The Tudors: A Fascinating Time in History!
The Tudors ruled England from 1485 to 1603. It was an exciting time full of famous kings and queens, grand castles, and big changes in the way people lived. The Tudor period started when Henry VII became king after winning the Battle of Bosworth.
The Famous Tudor Kings and Queens 
Henry VII (1485-1509) – The first Tudor king who won the throne in battle. Henry VIII (1509-1547) – The most famous Tudor king! He had six wives and started the Church of England. Edward VI (1547-1553) – Henry VIII’s son. He became king when he was just nine years old! Mary I (1553-1558) – Henry VIII’s daughter. She was called “Bloody Mary” because she punished people who didn’t follow her religion. Elizabeth I (1558-1603) – One of England’s greatest queens! She ruled for 44 years and helped England grow strong.
Fun Fact: The Tudor family symbol was the Tudor Rose, a mix of a red rose (Lancaster) and a white rose (York)!
What Did the Tudors Wear? 
Rich Tudors wore fancy clothes made from silk and velvet, while poor Tudors wore simple woollen outfits.
Men wore tunics, trousers, and cloaks. Rich men wore ruffed collars.
Women wore long dresses with big skirts and hats. Rich women painted their faces white!
Tudor knights wore heavy armour when they went into battle.
Did You Know? Tudors believed that having a pale face showed that you were rich and didn’t have to work outside in the sun!
What Did the Tudors Eat? 
The Tudors loved huge feasts!
Rich Tudors ate roast meat, fish, pies, and even peacock!
Poor Tudors ate pottage (a thick vegetable soup) and bread.
Sugar was very expensive, so only rich people had sweets and puddings.
There were no forks! Tudors used spoons, knives, and their fingers to eat!
Fun Fact: Henry VIII loved food so much that he became very overweight! His waist was nearly 54 inches when he was older!
Tudor Houses and Towns 
Many Tudor houses were made of wooden beams and white plaster. You can still see them in some towns today!
Rich Tudors lived in grand palaces like Hampton Court Palace.
Poor Tudors lived in small cottages with one or two rooms.
There were no toilets! People used chamber pots or went outside.
Streets were dirty, smelly, and full of animals like pigs and chickens!
Did You Know? The first theatres were built in Tudor times, and people loved watching plays by William Shakespeare!
Tudor Exploration 
The Tudors were great explorers! They sailed around the world and discovered new lands.
Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishman to sail all the way around the world.
The Spanish Armada tried to invade England in 1588, but Queen Elizabeth’s navy defeated them!
Sir Walter Raleigh brought potatoes and tobacco back from America.
Fun Fact: The Tudors believed that tomatoes were poisonous and didn’t eat them!
Crime and Punishment in Tudor Times 
If you broke the law in Tudor times, punishments were very harsh!
Thieves had their hands cut off.
People who lied were put in the stocks, where others could throw rotten food at them!
Serious criminals were executed – sometimes by being beheaded!
Did You Know? Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, was beheaded in the Tower of London!
Conclusion
The Tudor times were full of powerful kings and queens, explorers, feasts, and even terrible punishments! Their influence can still be seen today in castles, houses, and even some of our food and words.
