 Britain 1500-1750 Key Word Search
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When Henry VII died in 1509, England was strong and wealthy, but not very important in Europe. English kings played little part in events in Europe. Henry VIII set about changing the situation. He tried to build up a strong navy and became involved in wars with France. But the most important event of his reign was his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. As a result of this, England became a protestant country. Henry VIII's divorce also helped to increase the authority of Parliament because he used it to pass the Act of Supremacy. However, Parliament did not become really important until the 17th century. James I and Charles I both tried to govern without it and this eventually led to war breaking out between Charles and Parliament in 1642. After Charles II became king in 1660 he had to give way to Parliament on several occasions.
By 1750 the king no longer governed the country and Parliament was the dominant influence, England had been merged into Britain. Wales and England were united in 1536 and Scotland and England were united in 1707. However, the legal and religious affairs of England and Scotland were not merged, and remain quite different to this day.
- English Civil War - Between 1642 and 1646 England was torn apart by a bloody civil war.
- Fire of London - In September 1666 the heart of England's capital was devastated by fire.
- Gunpowder Plot - What led Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators to attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in November 1605?
- Plague - Disease was rampant in the 17th century - plague was the most feared of all.
- Slavery - In the 16th century, English sea captains began to go to Africa and take slaves across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.
- Spanish Armada - Threat of invasion by Spain loomed large for much of Elizabeth's reign, culminating in the launch of the Armada.
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