HIST 2259 When Women Ruled the British World: From Tudor England to Stuart Britain

The period 1458-1714 shaped modern Britain religiously, politically and commercially. We shall examine how the Tudors came to power, and their failure to establish an enduring dynasty. With the advent of the Stuarts in 1603 " Britain" begins to emerge as one of the great European powers, a status it would keep well into the 20th century. In an era often dominated by ruthless men, four women would rule in England, although in Mary II's case jointly with her husband William of Orange.