The House of Tudor ruled England and its realms from 1485 until 1603, during which time five monarchs sat on the throne: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. This expert guide charts the lives of Tudor lay folk (including Shakespeare!) as well as all the infamous Tudor kings and queens.

Delve inside the Tudor world and discover the facts behind the fiction

The British Isles have witnessed many great regal dynasties through the ages, but none more turbulent, exciting and controversial than the Tudors. This book looks through the history of a legendary era, exploring monarchs such as the infamous Henry VIII, the ruthless Mary I and the indomitable Elizabeth I. Packed with information on the battles, beheadings and royal family bust ups, The Tudors For Dummies is history at its best. Covering everything from the founding of the Church of England to the Spanish Armada, this book reveals why the Tudors were so pivotal in shaping modern Britain.

• Back to the start – find out about daily life in the sixteenth century and discover the roots of the Tudor dynasty

• Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived – take an in-depth look at Henry VIII's ever-changing marital status and the reasons behind his break with the Roman Catholic church

• Chasing the limelight – unravel the chaotic successions of Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey and 'Bloody Mary'

• The first Elizabeth – explore an era of religious and political transformation, taking in the Spanish Armada, her feud with Mary, Queen of Scots, and much more

Open the book and find:

• What Henry VIII was really like

• How the Church of England was founded

• Why Lady Jane Grey was queen for only nine days

• Why Elizabeth I never married Robert Dudley

• The history behind the Tudor rose

• The origins of the Troubles in Ireland

• How the monarchy changed hands, from Tudors to Stuarts

• Where to find surviving Tudor buildings

• What the Tudors did for us

Learn About:

• Tudor life and times and how they shaped the Britain of today

• Henry VIII and his unlucky wives

• The turbulent private and political life of Elizabeth I

• The bloody battles, rampant diseases and religious divides of the period

This entertaining guide covers the period from 1485 to 1603, exploring the life and times of everyday people (from famine and the flu epidemic, to education, witchcraft and William Shakespeare) as well as the intrigues and scandals at court. Strap yourself in and get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the romantic and political liaisons of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I - and that's not all! Information on surviving Tudor buildings, such as Hampton Court, adds a contemporary twist for readers wanting to bring history to life by visiting these historic sites.

The Tudors For Dummies includes:

Part I: The Early Tudors
Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Tudors
Chapter 2: Surveying the Mess the Tudors Inherited
Chapter 3: Cosying Up With the First Tudor

Part II: Henry VIII
Chapter 4: What was Henry like?
Chapter 5: How Henry Ran his Kingdom
Chapter 6: Divorced, Beheaded, Died; Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: The Perils of Marrying Henry
Chapter 7: Establishing a New Church: Henry and Religion

Part III: Edward VI, Mary and Philip, and Queen Mary
Chapter 8: Edward, the Child King
Chapter 9: Establishing Protestantism
Chapter 10: Northumberland, Lady Jane Grey and the Rise of Mary
Chapter 11: What Mary Did
Chapter 12: Weighing Up War and Disillusionment

Part IV: The First Elizabeth
Chapter 13: The Queen and her Team
Chapter 14: Breaking Dinner Party Rules: Discussing Religion and Politics
Chapter 15: Tackling Battles, Plots and Revolts
Chapter 16: Making War with Spain
Chapter 17: Understanding the Trouble in Ireland
Chapter 18: Passing on the Baton - Moving from Tudors to Stewarts

Part V: The Part of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten top Tudor Dates
Chapter 20: Ten Things the Tudors Did For Us
Chapter 21: Ten (Mostly) Surviving Tudor Buildings