The Connell Guide to the Tudors

by Susan Doran

The date Henry VII became king - 22 August 1485 - is a crucial one in the history of the British monarchy. The crown has ever since remained in the line of his heirs and the Tudor dynasty was extraordinarily successful and resilient. All four Tudor monarchs Henry VII and VIII, Mary and Elizabeth died naturally, which, given that four from 1399 to 1485 had been deposed, was no mean achievement and a sign of their political strength and acumen. They were all authoritarian and could be tyrannical. But they were brilliant in the way they manipulated public opinion, and in using magnificence and propaganda to enhance royal power and they left behind them a stronger monarchy, a powerful state, and a transformed national Church.

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About the author

Dr Susan Doran is a British historian whose primary studies surround the reign of Elizabeth I, in particular the theme of marriage and succession. She has published and edited sixteen books, most notably Elizabeth I and Religion, 1558-1603, Monarchy and Matrimony and Queen Elizabeth I, part of the British Library's Historic Lives series.

She is currently a tutor and member of the history faculty at Christ Church, Oxford University where her specific area of interest is stated as being Early Modern British and European history. Previously, Doran was a reader in history, Senior Lecturer in History and Teaching Studies and Director of the History Programme at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, part of the University of Surrey.

She is also a Director of Studies for history at Regent's Park College and Senior Research Fellow for History at Jesus College