The Tudor Dynasty: A timeline
The events of this musical may have happened over 500 years ago in Europe, but we in America are not disconnected from this history. The Tudors made moves so massive that we're still seeing the ripple effects today.
A note on Tudor propaganda
No English dynasty was more skilled at propaganda than the Tudor dynasty. The first Tudor monarch, Henry VII, needed to project an image of strength and unity after his defeat of Richard III in the War of the Roses. As soon as he took the throne, the emblem of entwined red and white roses was everywhere. He created the Tudor Myth which perpetuated the idea that the Tudors were divinely destined to rule England, and that their rule was a golden age, while Richard III's rule was a dark age.
His son, Henry VIII, took Tudor propaganda to a whole new level. His decision to break with the Catholic Church was not popular. One of the most notable ways he turned his image around was by publishing the first complete English translation of the Bible. This translation included artwork by Hans Holbein, depicting Henry VIII enthroned directly beneath God and distributing the Bible to the bishops. This image perpetuated the idea that God spoke directly to Henry VIII. Anyone who dared to defy Henry VIII would also be defying God. We might now think of Henry as a narcissistic tyrant, but at the time, he was viewed as the perfect king: magnificent, chivalrous, militaristic and awe-inspiring.
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The Tudor Myth pervaded through Henry VIII's rule, covering up anything the Tudors didn't want people to know and reshaping history in Henry's favor.
The Battle of Flodden
The Battle of Flodden was fought between England and Scotland (allies of the French) in 1513 when Henry VIII was (badly) fighting a war in France. He left Katherine in charge as Queen Regent and she did a hell of a job. Katherine was not the first woman to be left in charge when he husband wasn't up to the task. Margaret of Anjou, wife of Henry VI, took up some political and military roles during a civil war in 1459-61, but it didn't go over so well. She was very capable too, but people were not ready for a woman to lead. She was labeled as unnatural and presumptive. Katherine was much more respected for her role in the Battle of Flodden, maybe because she gave Henry and God all the credit.
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Katherine did not actually march into battle. She was pregnant at the time and would never have been allowed to risk the baby's life, but she certainly did fight a battle: a political one. She mobilized an army to confront the invading Scottish forces, issuing warrants to raise troops, preparing banners, and taking decisive actions that led to England's victory, where the Scottish King James IV was killed. She sent a piece of his bloodied coat to Henry as a symbol of triumph. She did originally want to send the whole body, but was persuaded against it.
Where do we feel the effects today?
Henry VIII was one of the most radical leaders in history, changing the way things were done for thousands of years with a single executive order, sweeping the truth under the rug to further his agenda, and getting rid of those who opposed him.