The Reformation

The Reformation was to have momentous consequences for the History of Europe, dividing the Christian church into two rival camps made up of Catholics and Protestants. In England, the Reformation received its first major boost when Henry VIII broke with Rome but its roots went much deeper. Have a look at these two Timelines TV videos: The first on Henry VIII's split from Rome and the second on some of the background to the Reformation. The BBC also gives a valuable outline of this relgious revolution.

Elizabeth I

For some biographical information on Elizabeth I for your obituary, try out the BBC website and the History Learning site.

The Spanish Armada

The Spanish Armada remains one of the most dramatic and memorable events in British history, but how much truth is there in the traditional English version that sees it as a victory for the heroic underdogs. Take a look at the Channel 4 website for some of the latest research and check back on the blog to see an earlier post on the subject which might help you make up your own mind.

Elizabethan Portraits

As you know we are looking at how Elizabeth I used portraits as a means of propaganda. Here is a challenging and informative online lesson which you will be asked to do for homework. You will need to do some research to do the first section.

The Tudor and Stuart Family trees

As you know in Year 8 we are studying the 16th and 17th centuries. A quick look at the Tudor and Stuart Family trees might help you get a clear idea of who's who during this period.

The Spanish Armada

Was it, as old-fashioned British textbooks would have you believe, the story of heroism against the odds as the plucky English underdogs beat off the mighty Spanish thanks to their superior sailing skills and daring tactics? Was it, as many Spanish textbooks - and King Philip II - claimed, merely a question of some freakish weather coming to the aid of the fortunate English? Or was the failure of the Armada due to a more complicated combination of military, climatological and political factors?

Try and shake off your national bias and take a look at some of the following websites so that you can make up your own mind.

The History Learning Site offers a pretty objective analysis of events. Spot the interesting differences in the versions given on the Spanish and English versions of Wikipedia. Or take a look at this very detailed webpage and its sister site that attempt to destroy some of the myths surrounding one of the most famous events in English and Spanish history.

Take a look at this David Starkey video for his take on events and decide if you think it gives a fair verdict. Use your own research to decide if Spain really was weakened by the defeat of the Armada.

Elizabeth I portraits

In Year 8 we will be looking at some portraits of Elizabeth I. Here is a short presentation showing some of the most famous representations of the Tudor monarch.

Greensleeves

Legend has it that Henry VIII composed Greensleeves for his lover and future wife Anne Boleyn, but the song was probably written towards the end of the 16th Century in the Elizabethan era. The video below gives a taste of what the original would have sounded like.



You can find the lyrics of the song on this webpage.

Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I reigned for 45 years between 1558 and 1603, becoming one of the most famous of all British monarchs. She is renowned for her moderate religious policy, her refusal to marry, her carefully measured foreign policy, her order to execute her cousin and rival Mary Queen of Scots and for rallying her troops in the face of the threat of Spanish invasion at the time of the Armada.

She was also an expert at propaganda and carefully cultivated her image as the "virgin queen" prepared to sacrifice everything for the good of her country. Look at this website for a comprehensive selection of portraits of Elizabeth and check out this video which has a slide show of some of the most famous ones.

For an explanation of the reasons behind her refusal to marry take a look at this short extract from a documentary series on the Tudors.

For a re-enactment of her famous speech to the troops at Tilbury at the time of the Spanish Armada watch this video:



For more on the Armada take a look at the BBC website and this section on the British Library website.

"I'm Henry VIII, I am"

A humorous introduction to Henry VIII with great musical accompaniment from classic British 1960s group Herman's Hermits.



On a more serious note, here is a excellent site which will fill you in about life during Tudor times. You can see real documents and objects from the times and you can play a series of games related to the period.

The Tudors

Woodland Junior School has got a great website with some invaluable information on the Tudors. Check it out and learn all about Tudor kings and queens, the way people lived and what they believed.

The Terrible Tudors

Every wanted to find out some foul facts about the Terrible Tudors? Have a look at this site.
Terrible Tudors