The accession of Henry VII (reigned 1485-1509) to the throne of England, leading to the end of the Wars of the Roses, opened the door to Tudor rule, setting a different character to the monarchy. In Volume 3 of The History of England, Hume traces the story through turbulent and unpredictable times, the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, the brief period of Jane Grey; and concluding with the brutal religious persecutions of Mary I.
Initially, Henry VII had to establish royal control and legitimacy. With his customary clarity and natural story-telling style, Hume tells how Henry established his authority with a firm, ruthless but sure hand. He suppressed insurrections, faced French incursions into Brittany, instability in Scotland, and other fractious relationships with Spain and Flanders. Just as important was his commitment to improving the monetary state of the country after the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses. As a result, he was able to pass on a wealthier England to his successor.
Henry VIII (reigned 1509-1547) was welcomed as a huge contrast, from the ‘jealous, severe and avaricious’ character of his father. The bold, youthful and courageous prince of just 18 years engendered much hope in the populace. But his character resulted in a reign of much turbulence, from his marital profligacy as he searched for an heir, to his departure from the religious overlordship of the Pope. Under his flamboyant rule the country was to experience huge uncertainties, with expeditionary failures abroad, introduction of the new religion, the dissolution of monasteries and constant financial challenges.
His son, Edward VI (reigned 1547-1553) raised hopes as he was known to be a committed Protestant. But his early death at the age of 15, (apart from the short, disputed reign of Lady Jane Grey), saw the fiercely Catholic Mary (1553-1558) accede to the throne. Predictably, the five years of her monarchy was dominated by religious persecution as an increasingly embittered sovereign sought to impose Catholicism on the nation. Her death after only five years left England in a parlous state.
As always, Hume’s characterful but well-informed view of events brings the launch of the Tudor monarchy to life. He deals not only with the major events and personalities, but by introducing many less well-known individuals and their actions, brings a vivid quality to the story of England as it unfolds.
