Religious Dogmatism in Tudor Monarchs: A Great Trouble for England

Renaissance age began in England with the rule of the Tudor Monarchs in England. These monarchs ruled up to 118 years, and the nations faced a number of paradigms during this period. Commoners were busy in enjoying the reawakening. Art and culture was being flourished, and new genres in various fields were coming in the limelight. Brilliant medieval costumes, which became the fashion-statements in the modern times, also came in the limelight during this period.

On the other side, Tudor rulers were the lawmakers, who were living the aristocratic lifestyles. They made some positive changes in England, but there were some pitfalls also in their kingdoms. The prominent pitfall seems the religious dogmatism of some Tudor monarchs. The sectarianism among them was clearly reflected from their activities.

Henry VII was the first Tudor monarch, but he had nothing to do with any religious dispute. This dispute began when his son and the second monarch Henry VIII broke his relations with Rome and declared himself the head of Church of England. He did so to get the right to divorce his wife. But, the problematic thing was that the opinions of his children in the family were divided. He declared his son Edward as his heir and kept his two daughters Mary and Elizabeth in the line of succession.

After his death, Edward VI became king in the small age of 9. Surprisingly, Edward was interested in the religious issues despite his small age. The publication of “Common Book of Prayer” was ordered by him, which was opposed by a large community in England. Moreover, he also didn’t hesitate in changing his father’s will for maintaining the protestant rule. He declared his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his heir. He did so because he was afraid that his catholic half-sister will reverse the reform after his death. Edward died in the small age of 15. Lady Jane Grey was the proclaimed queen after him, but she didn’t maintain his support. Mary assembled a military force and disposed Jane Grey.

Mary I was proved to be a most problematic queen of the Tudor dynasty. She wanted to reconcile with Rome, and she ordered the people to attend the catholic mass. She became the trouble for England, when she started burning the innocent Protestants. She became unpopular for this act and was dubbed as ‘Bloody Mary’. She also married Philip of Spain for producing a catholic heir. But, she failed to do so as she could never produce the child. Finally, she had to declare her half-sister Elizabeth as her heir, who was a protestant lady. Still her religious identity was mysterious as she would keep the catholic symbols despite her protestant faith. She kept the harmony between the two sects.

So, finally England got a Tudor Monarch who was above the sectarianism up to a great extent. She is thought to be the most famous monarch from Tudor dynasty.  She was interested in the cultural activities fine arts, and she was also a fashion lover. The styles of her tudor dressing are still popular in the western world.