London during the Tudor Period

The Tudor Period began in London in 1485 under the reign of King Henry VII. This period also includes the reign of both the particularly famous Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The monarchs that ruled during the Tudor period played a serious role in transforming England into a powerhouse that would eventually rule a good portion of the world.

When Henry VII became the King of England the population in London was only around 75,000 people. That figure nearly tripled in little more than 100 years. During Henry VII’s reign several valuable relationships were formed with Scotland, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. Henry VII also convinced Pope Innocent VIII to excommunicate any person that tried to lay claim to the throne.

Henry VII’s immediate heir to the throne was Arthur Tudor who unfortunately died quite young. The following year Henry VII’s wife Elizabeth of York also passed away giving birth to their daughter who also did not survive. Within a few years Henry VII also passed away leaving his second eldest son Henry VIII to take over as king.

Henry VIII officially declared Whitehall Palace, which is located in London, his main residence. Whitehall Palace was originally known as York House until a great expansion project was completed on it. Many of the famous parks that make up modern day London were used for hunting during this time. This includes St. James Park, Hyde Park and Regent’s Park.

During the reign of Henry VIII London continued to thrive. One industry that was doing exceedingly well was the weaving industry. London began to trade with faraway places like Russia and even the Americas at this point. Several well-known trading companies were formed in London during the Tudor period including the British East India Company and the Russia Company. In time the British East India Company would take control over a good portion of India.

Shipping was rapidly gaining popularity and gave London the ability to bring coal in via Newcastle. This event only added to the growing wealth that the people in London were accumulating. Immigrants were also starting to pour into London. They came from not just around England, but also from as far away as France and other parts of Europe.

Henry VIII is easily remembered as the King with six wives. His first wife Catherine of Aragon bore him a daughter that would later rule as Queen Mary I and his second wife bore him another daughter that would rule as Queen Elizabeth I. It was not until Henry VIII married his third wife, Jane Seymour, that he was able to have the male heir that he had desired, Edward VI. After Henry VIII passed away Edward succeeded him to the throne when he was just nine years of age. His reign was short-lived and he eventually died from tuberculosis at fifteen.

ueen Mary I eventually staked her claim as the rightful heir to the throne and ruled for a period of five years. During her reign she returned England to its Roman Catholic roots. When Mary I passed away Queen Elizabeth I cemented the foundation for the future Church of England. At the end of Elizabeth I’s reign, in 1603, the population of London was approaching 225,000 people.