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Very Short Introductions #020
The Tudors: A Very Short Introduction
First published as part of the best-selling The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain, John Guy's Very Short Introduction to The Tudors is the most authoritative short introduction to this age in British history. It offers a compelling account of the political, religious and economic changes
of the country under such leading monarchs as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
The work has been substantially revised and updated for this edition. In particular, the reigns of Henry VII, Edward VI, and Philip and Mary are comprehensively reassessed.
of the country under such leading monarchs as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
The work has been substantially revised and updated for this edition. In particular, the reigns of Henry VII, Edward VI, and Philip and Mary are comprehensively reassessed.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
49 people are currently reading
864 people want to read
About the author
John Guy
164 books256 followersJohn Guy is recognised as one of Britain's most exciting and scholarly historians, bringing the past to life with the written word and on the broadcast media with accomplished ease. He's a very modern face of history.
His ability for first class story-telling and books that read as thrillingly as a detective story makes John Guy a Chandleresque writer of the history world. Guy hunts down facts with forensic skill, he doesn't just recite historical moments as they stand; he brings names and faces to life in all their human achievements and weaknesses. He looks for the killer clues so we can see how history unfolded. Like a detective on the trail of a crime, he teases out what makes his subjects tick. With his intimate knowledge of the archives, his speciality is uncovering completely fresh lines of enquiry. He's never content to repeat what we already know but rather, he goes that extra step to solve history's riddles. He takes you on a journey to the heart of the matter. Forget notions of musty academics, when Guy takes hold of history the case he states is always utterly compelling. Whether it's Thomas More or Mary Queen of Scots, Guy makes these people so real you suddenly realize you are hearing them speak to you. You enter into their world. You feel you can almost reach out and touch them.
Born in Australia in 1949, John Guy grew up in England and by the age of 16 he knew he wanted to be a historian. In 2001 he made an accomplished debut as a presenter for the television programme Timewatch, on the life of Thomas More. Today he's turning history books on their head as he wins universal praise and the 2004 Whitbread Prize for biography for his thrilling account of the life of Mary Queen of Scots.
As well as presenting five documentaries for BBC 2 television, including the Timewatch film The King's Servant and the four-part Renaissance Secrets (Series 2), he has contributed to Meet the Ancestors (BBC 2), and to Channel 4's Time Team and Royal Deaths and Diseases. Wolsey's Lost Palace of Hampton Court was a short-listed finalist for the 2002 Channel 4 television awards.
John Guy also appears regularly on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, BBC World Service and BBC Scotland. In print he currently writes or reviews for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Economist, the Times Literary Supplement, BBC History Magazine and History Today.
His broadcast and journalism experience builds upon his impeccable CV as an academic and author.
Having read History under the supervision of Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton, the pre-eminent Tudor scholar of the late-twentieth century, John Guy took a First and became a Research Fellow of Selwyn College in 1970. Awarded a Greene Cup by Clare College in 1970, he completed his PhD on Cardinal Wolsey in 1973 and won the Yorke Prize of the University of Cambridge in 1976.
John Guy has lectured extensively on Early Modern British History and Renaissance Political Thought in both Britain and the United States. He has published 16 books and numerous academic articles.
John Guy lives in North London. He is a Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge, where he teaches part-time so he can devote more time to his writing and broadcasting career.
His ability for first class story-telling and books that read as thrillingly as a detective story makes John Guy a Chandleresque writer of the history world. Guy hunts down facts with forensic skill, he doesn't just recite historical moments as they stand; he brings names and faces to life in all their human achievements and weaknesses. He looks for the killer clues so we can see how history unfolded. Like a detective on the trail of a crime, he teases out what makes his subjects tick. With his intimate knowledge of the archives, his speciality is uncovering completely fresh lines of enquiry. He's never content to repeat what we already know but rather, he goes that extra step to solve history's riddles. He takes you on a journey to the heart of the matter. Forget notions of musty academics, when Guy takes hold of history the case he states is always utterly compelling. Whether it's Thomas More or Mary Queen of Scots, Guy makes these people so real you suddenly realize you are hearing them speak to you. You enter into their world. You feel you can almost reach out and touch them.
Born in Australia in 1949, John Guy grew up in England and by the age of 16 he knew he wanted to be a historian. In 2001 he made an accomplished debut as a presenter for the television programme Timewatch, on the life of Thomas More. Today he's turning history books on their head as he wins universal praise and the 2004 Whitbread Prize for biography for his thrilling account of the life of Mary Queen of Scots.
As well as presenting five documentaries for BBC 2 television, including the Timewatch film The King's Servant and the four-part Renaissance Secrets (Series 2), he has contributed to Meet the Ancestors (BBC 2), and to Channel 4's Time Team and Royal Deaths and Diseases. Wolsey's Lost Palace of Hampton Court was a short-listed finalist for the 2002 Channel 4 television awards.
John Guy also appears regularly on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, BBC World Service and BBC Scotland. In print he currently writes or reviews for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Economist, the Times Literary Supplement, BBC History Magazine and History Today.
His broadcast and journalism experience builds upon his impeccable CV as an academic and author.
Having read History under the supervision of Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton, the pre-eminent Tudor scholar of the late-twentieth century, John Guy took a First and became a Research Fellow of Selwyn College in 1970. Awarded a Greene Cup by Clare College in 1970, he completed his PhD on Cardinal Wolsey in 1973 and won the Yorke Prize of the University of Cambridge in 1976.
John Guy has lectured extensively on Early Modern British History and Renaissance Political Thought in both Britain and the United States. He has published 16 books and numerous academic articles.
John Guy lives in North London. He is a Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge, where he teaches part-time so he can devote more time to his writing and broadcasting career.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 31, 2021
Comprehensive coverage of the reigns from Henry VII to Elizabeth I and including all the famous characters of the time ranging from Lady Jane Grey to William Shakespeare via Edmund Spenser, Walter Raleigh, The Earl of Leicester, Mary Stuart, and Anne Boleyn.
This was a fascinating period when England fought off the Spanish Armada having 30 years earlier had a Spanish king who made decisions that affected the English people.
Not just politics is covered, but literature, architecture, and taxation, every facet of life in fact. Who would have imagined that the amount gathered in tax fell substantially during the reign of Elizabeth and that Lord Burghley, the Lord Treasurer was one of those evading his taxes.
This was a fascinating period when England fought off the Spanish Armada having 30 years earlier had a Spanish king who made decisions that affected the English people.
Not just politics is covered, but literature, architecture, and taxation, every facet of life in fact. Who would have imagined that the amount gathered in tax fell substantially during the reign of Elizabeth and that Lord Burghley, the Lord Treasurer was one of those evading his taxes.
June 7, 2011
The idea behind this "brief insight series" is great--give readers a quick, intelligent hit on a big subject in a boiled-down textbook format. Unfortunately Guy is a dull, elliptical writer who seems bored with and dismissive of his subject. (With a curt wrist flick he dispenses with the Six Wives of Henry VIII, for example, by saying a lot has already been written on this.) He treats the rise and fall of Cromwell as little more than a box score.
Frustratingly several large charts eat up a lot of prose real estate where Guy could have injected life and content into what passes for a narrative.
And what do these charts tell you? That a lot of people died during the Black Death and England's population grew after it was over. Wow. I hear Brits also drink tea and it rains a bit there. They like their soccer, too.
The ludicrously entertaining series "The Tudors" drew me to this subject wanting to know the real story of Henry VIII beyond the college boy haircuts and rough sex scenes.
If anyone knows of a non-ponderous, non-tome of less than 12,000 pages on such subjects as Cromwell, Henry VIII's seizing of the monasteries, founding of the Church of England, the Reformation, etc.--do let me know.
Frustratingly several large charts eat up a lot of prose real estate where Guy could have injected life and content into what passes for a narrative.
And what do these charts tell you? That a lot of people died during the Black Death and England's population grew after it was over. Wow. I hear Brits also drink tea and it rains a bit there. They like their soccer, too.
The ludicrously entertaining series "The Tudors" drew me to this subject wanting to know the real story of Henry VIII beyond the college boy haircuts and rough sex scenes.
If anyone knows of a non-ponderous, non-tome of less than 12,000 pages on such subjects as Cromwell, Henry VIII's seizing of the monasteries, founding of the Church of England, the Reformation, etc.--do let me know.
September 29, 2016
I found this to be a very useful and informative refresher on Tudor history. It's not quite accurate to describe it as a "refresher"; there was a heck of a lot of information here that I didn't know before. I was most surprised to find out that Elizabeth I was actually not all that powerful and was largely controlled and manipulated by her male advisers.
July 23, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up
Too condensed for my tastes.
However the version I listened to was updated for 2021 and was an audiobook available at my library via Hoopla.
I didn't see that version as an option to select on Goodreads.
I would not really recommend this unless you know the basic players. This doesn't explain well why The Tudor dynasty even existed and in fairness that's not brief.
If you understand the basic players there's not really anything of interest here.
Its very short and I finished quickly
Too condensed for my tastes.
However the version I listened to was updated for 2021 and was an audiobook available at my library via Hoopla.
I didn't see that version as an option to select on Goodreads.
I would not really recommend this unless you know the basic players. This doesn't explain well why The Tudor dynasty even existed and in fairness that's not brief.
If you understand the basic players there's not really anything of interest here.
Its very short and I finished quickly
October 2, 2024
A bland introduction privileging narrative political history.
August 31, 2024
The Historian John Guy wrote The Tudors: A Very Short Introduction. The book has illustrations. The book has an index. The book has a section entitled “further reading” (Guy 131-134). The book has a timeline and a genealogical table of the Tudors. I read the book on my Kindle. The first chapter is about King Henry VII. The remaining seven chapters of the book cover different aspects of the dynasty of the Tudors, including architecture and housing. The book also covers the arts of the Tudor dynasty. Chapter 7 is entitled “Material Culture and the Arts” (Guy 103-117). During the Tudors dynasty, the idea of the “British ‘imperial’ kingship was developed (Guy 41-44). The British ‘imperial’ kingship was defined by Guy as “ideas of kingship tempted him into the asserting a wider territorial ‘empire’ within the British Isles (Guy 41). The book also covers the English Reformation, which Henry VIII started. Guy believes the Tudor dynasty permanently changed the English monarchy (Guy 129). Guy’s book is a well-done introduction to this complex dynasty in English history and the English Reformation. The book looks at the legacy of Elizabeth I as well. I read the edition from 2013. I read the book on my Kindle. Guy is a detailed, short introduction to the era of the dynasty of the Tudors.
June 17, 2024
As most "A Very Short Introduction" books, this is a fine read and a fine introduction to the Tudors. I do think some areas are oversimplified to a point where the information loses usefulness (Wolsey's building of a hospital that allowed for "professional medical care" is incredibly vague to anyone who doesn't know about the history of medical care in western nations). The further readings also seem rather dated and I would have wished for more recent scholarship (I am aware that this was published in 2000 - the literature offered remains dated). Nonetheless, the book is useful and the pictures are great!
July 9, 2023
More focus on economics
Less focus on politics and historic events
Less focus on politics and historic events
December 24, 2024
Despite having learned this period of English history several times in the past, I’d never read a book solely focused on the Tudor family, so this was fairly interesting. For how famous they are, they’re quite a short-lived dynasty, and kind of a train wreck.
November 13, 2013
A romp through history...
The Very Short Introduction series from Oxford University Press began in 1995 and now lists more than 300 titles, according to this book’s blurb. I’ve seen positive (and not so positive) reviews of several of the titles, but this is the first one I’ve read. I thought that starting with a subject I’m familiar with would give me an opportunity to see how well the book captures the essentials.
First off, the book is not only Very Short but also very small – with a very small font. So handy to carry in a pocket or bag, so long as you don’t need to tote along your reading lamp and magnifying glass. However, it is well laid out and contains some illustrations to break up the text. The reading material in this one runs to 129 pages, plus a list of further reading, a chronology and an index. Handily it also has a genealogical table and a note explaining the value of currencies.
Written by John Guy, one of my favourite historians, I expected the history to be accurate and well-presented, and it is. It’s roughly divided into a chapter per monarch (from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, who gets two in recognition of the length of her reign), with a couple of extra chapters on the Reformation and on Arts and Culture. You can tell from the scope that this must therefore be an exceedingly quick romp through the period. It gives the basics, but not much more. I found it pretty unsatisfying in the early parts where I was most familiar with the history – up to about mid-way through Elizabeth’s reign. I felt the facts were there, but I didn’t get much feel for the personalities or the international picture. However, when we reached the latter part of Elizabeth’s reign, about which I knew very little, it seemed much more rewarding. So I concluded that the error was mine – I should probably have read one on a subject about which I know nothing to really find out how effective these little books are.
Overall, then, a decently presented little history, well-written by a respected historian, that will give the reader the basic facts, but doesn’t add anything new for the reader who may know a little about the subject. I may try another of these at some point in the future. They cover all kinds of topics other than history – philosophy, science, even literature - so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something I know nothing about!
NB This book was provided for review by Amazon Vine UK.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
The Very Short Introduction series from Oxford University Press began in 1995 and now lists more than 300 titles, according to this book’s blurb. I’ve seen positive (and not so positive) reviews of several of the titles, but this is the first one I’ve read. I thought that starting with a subject I’m familiar with would give me an opportunity to see how well the book captures the essentials.
First off, the book is not only Very Short but also very small – with a very small font. So handy to carry in a pocket or bag, so long as you don’t need to tote along your reading lamp and magnifying glass. However, it is well laid out and contains some illustrations to break up the text. The reading material in this one runs to 129 pages, plus a list of further reading, a chronology and an index. Handily it also has a genealogical table and a note explaining the value of currencies.
Written by John Guy, one of my favourite historians, I expected the history to be accurate and well-presented, and it is. It’s roughly divided into a chapter per monarch (from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, who gets two in recognition of the length of her reign), with a couple of extra chapters on the Reformation and on Arts and Culture. You can tell from the scope that this must therefore be an exceedingly quick romp through the period. It gives the basics, but not much more. I found it pretty unsatisfying in the early parts where I was most familiar with the history – up to about mid-way through Elizabeth’s reign. I felt the facts were there, but I didn’t get much feel for the personalities or the international picture. However, when we reached the latter part of Elizabeth’s reign, about which I knew very little, it seemed much more rewarding. So I concluded that the error was mine – I should probably have read one on a subject about which I know nothing to really find out how effective these little books are.
Overall, then, a decently presented little history, well-written by a respected historian, that will give the reader the basic facts, but doesn’t add anything new for the reader who may know a little about the subject. I may try another of these at some point in the future. They cover all kinds of topics other than history – philosophy, science, even literature - so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something I know nothing about!
NB This book was provided for review by Amazon Vine UK.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
August 3, 2012
So far, great. Realistically, its more of a history book, but people that know me know I love, love, LOVE the Tudor era. I really love all history pertaining to English Monarchy but the Tudor era is my favorite - from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I.
July 8, 2011
I found this book very interesting. It went into details I hadn't heard before. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Tudor England.
August 21, 2017
Review - I wouldn't really recommend this book if you have an in-depth knowledge of the Tudors, as it is quite simplified in places. However, saying that, it would be excellent for those looking for an overview of the period i.e. students and those just developing an interest in the topic. John Guy has written countless books on the Tudors, so is probably the right person to do this introduction. I do think that it lacks in several places - the six wives of Henry VIII are barely given a page between them and Henry VII, Edward VI and Mary I are skimmed over. Elizabeth I seems to come to the forefront here.
General Subject/s? - History / Tudors
Recommend? – Maybe
Rating - 15/20
General Subject/s? - History / Tudors
Recommend? – Maybe
Rating - 15/20
May 26, 2017
A friend noted this was on sale for Kindle and I picked it up. It's a quick overview of the Tudor dynasty (Henry VII to Elizabeth I). Mostly my knowledge of these monarchs is through the lens of Church history. This is a secular historian's perspective, though much of the source material is the same (Guy is a little kinder to Mary, and I don't think I knew much of her husband Philip)
August 4, 2020
I read this book as it was recommended to me by my teacher going into A-Level history and it has given me a solid base knowledge going into the course in September.
I highly recommend this book to anyone which has an interest in history as it gives a concise summary of the whole period and is very informative.
I highly recommend this book to anyone which has an interest in history as it gives a concise summary of the whole period and is very informative.
October 14, 2025
Another good book from the Oxford series, A Very Short Introduction.
A concise but solid overview for those who just want to get a brief yet comprehensive picture of the Tudor era. Especially good that it doesn’t follow the usual “heroes and villains” scheme often found in writings about Mary Tudor and Elizabeth.
A concise but solid overview for those who just want to get a brief yet comprehensive picture of the Tudor era. Especially good that it doesn’t follow the usual “heroes and villains” scheme often found in writings about Mary Tudor and Elizabeth.
June 17, 2024
In my opinion, among the best of the 'Very Short Introduction' series. John Guy does an excellent job providing an overview of the people, politics, and economics from the beginning of Henry VII onto the end of Elizabeth I.
January 10, 2025
This was more a copy and paste of random college textbook snippets than a “short introduction.” I was looking for a book that would succinctly outline the highs, lows, and impacts of each Tudor monarch. This book is not it.
December 21, 2025
A good introductory overview of Tudor Britain, organized around the five Tudor monarchs, plus a side chapter on culture. As expected, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I get the greatest focus, but Guy provides more depth and detail on the joint reign of Philip and Mary than is usual.
April 16, 2021
Informative but very dry.
April 8, 2022
Decent overview of a fascinating period in history.
February 6, 2023
he really just completely ignored Henry VIII’s six wives huh
May 5, 2023
Only 129 small pages, with genealogy chart and timeline, but it is filled with information about the Tudors. Perfect accompaniment for the Clevelans Museum of Art’s wonderful exhibit.
Read
August 1, 2023Really great introduction and perfect for my research.
January 12, 2025
The Tudors
For anyone but a Tudor obsessive, this little book provides a wonderful little vignette on a pivotal period in English history.
For anyone but a Tudor obsessive, this little book provides a wonderful little vignette on a pivotal period in English history.
April 22, 2025
Siento que, irónicamente, se quedó un poco corto.
May 20, 2025
I think the problem was the narrator more than the text. Seemed like they added a lot of pauses for no reason.
November 19, 2013
This book is part of a series offering, as the title suggests, a very short introduction to a wide variety of different topics. This one is devoted to the Tudors and takes us through the reigns of each Tudor monarch - Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, (briefly) Lady Jane Grey, Mary I and Elizabeth I. All of the basic facts are here, presented in a format that is easy to follow and understand. There are also some illustrations, genealogical tables, a chronology and a list of suggested further reading.
The only problem I had was that I already have quite a good knowledge of the Tudor period, so very little of the information in this book was new to me. For those readers who don't know much about the Tudors, however, this will be an excellent starting point. The book is also very small and would be easy to carry around in a bag or pocket so that you could dip into it when you have a few spare moments to read.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this Very Short Introduction and will consider trying another one on a different subject.
The only problem I had was that I already have quite a good knowledge of the Tudor period, so very little of the information in this book was new to me. For those readers who don't know much about the Tudors, however, this will be an excellent starting point. The book is also very small and would be easy to carry around in a bag or pocket so that you could dip into it when you have a few spare moments to read.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this Very Short Introduction and will consider trying another one on a different subject.
September 23, 2013
This brief, and almost concise book about the Tudors is a good introduction to their world. It covered the reign of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, along with economic and political summaries of their rule. Of course Elizabeth I gets the spotlight in this book, covering brief economic, political, and the arts. How her rule changed the dynamics of the English throne. Even though the language in this book is not friendly, for me reading it felt like I was reading a textbook than like those pop-books like "Dummies" book series. It covered some of the gaps that I have not learned like the short reign of Mary Queen of Scots and the boy-king Edward, also it introduced me to how the parliament really worked before and during the reign of Elizabeth.
Overall this book is good if you have some knowledge of the said subject like I do. But if you are a history buff this might be a turn-off especially with the textbook feel of language and format.
Overall this book is good if you have some knowledge of the said subject like I do. But if you are a history buff this might be a turn-off especially with the textbook feel of language and format.
September 17, 2016
Really excellent little book which does what it says it will: introduces you to the Tudors. I especially liked the story of Bosworth on opening pages and the section on Mary. With scant knowledge of her reign, this proves a good starting point. More than burnings, pseudo-pregnancies and Calais.
I enjoyed the section on Bess (of course) and found it interesting to glean Guy's views here (of her losing her grip in the final decade). Especially liked his barbed description of Essex as "dazzling but paranoid". Looking forward to reading his new book soon.
Also looking forward to teaching rebellion and disorder to my year 13s and doubtless will refer to this in the course of that. Will be helpful for them.
Certainly this is easily decipherable if studying the Tudors in some detail. The general reader might be helped by a glossary. It implies some familiarity with 16th century monarchy, economics, culture and society.
I enjoyed the section on Bess (of course) and found it interesting to glean Guy's views here (of her losing her grip in the final decade). Especially liked his barbed description of Essex as "dazzling but paranoid". Looking forward to reading his new book soon.
Also looking forward to teaching rebellion and disorder to my year 13s and doubtless will refer to this in the course of that. Will be helpful for them.
Certainly this is easily decipherable if studying the Tudors in some detail. The general reader might be helped by a glossary. It implies some familiarity with 16th century monarchy, economics, culture and society.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews