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1534
Act of Supremacy
• King Henry VIII breaks away from the Catholic Church and establishes the Church of England, making himself its Supreme Head. -
Period: 1547 to 1553
Reign of Edward VI
Henry VIII’s son continues Protestant reforms during his short reign . -
Period: 1553 to 1558
Reign of Mary I (“Bloody Mary”)
Mary, a devout Catholic, attempts to restore Catholicism and persecutes Protestants. -
Period: 1558 to
Reign of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth restores Protestantism and establishes Anglicanism as the dominant faith. This era, known as the Elizabethan Age, is marked by cultural flourishing and exploration. -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
England defeats Spain’s naval fleet, beginning its rise as a dominant sea power. -
Union of the Crowns
Upon Elizabeth I’s death, James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England, uniting the crowns of England and Scotland. -
The Gunpowder Plot
A failed attempt by a group of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. Their goal was to replace him with a Catholic monarch. The plot was discovered, and the conspirators were executed. -
Period: to
English Civil War
Conflict between Royalists (supporters of King Charles I) and Parliamentarians ends with the execution of Charles I in 1649 and the establishment of a republic under Oliver Cromwell. -
Period: to
The Protectorate
Oliver Cromwell rules as Lord Protector during the period of the Commonwealth. -
The Restoration
The monarchy is restored with Charles II becoming king. -
The Glorious Revolution
Protestant rulers William of Orange and Mary take the throne peacefully, replacing Catholic King James II. This marks the establishment of a constitutional monarchy -
Act of Union
England and Scotland formally unite to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. -
Period: to
American War of Independence
Britain loses its thirteen American colonies, which declare independence to form the United States. -
Act of Union with Ireland
Great Britain and Ireland merge to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
This era saw profound changes in religion, governance, and global influence, solidifying Britain’s status as a leading maritime and colonial power.