Front Matter

The Tudor Kings and Queens.

Preface

As in the other books in this series, the aim has been to select for detailed description the great men and outstanding events, and to make them live again in the imagination of the pupils. And to aid this purpose, special attention is paid to social history.

The Tudor Period is admittedly a difficult one for children. Attention has been focused on the simpler aspects of the Reformation, such as the use of the English Bible and Service Book, and the relation of the Church to the Sovereign.

The greatest political drama in our history—the struggle between the Stuarts and Parliament—is here presented with a fullness and vividness which it deserves in a book intended for the future citizens of a democratic country and a great empire.

No period of history is richer in lessons for the future citizen; and every care has been taken to make plain the meaning and work of Parliament, Cabinet, Party Government, etc., and to show the tiny beginnings of our empire.

The great Civil War is the most important war ever fought on our soil; and moreover it has left traces in almost every part of the country. It is probably the events which happened in their own neighborhood that the children will best remember.

The children should be taught to use the Maps, the Genealogical Tables, the Table of Chief Dates, and the Index for reference and revision purposes. The dynastic outline in the Table on p. 22 will help to explain the numerous plots and beheadings which show the grim side of Tudor rule.

Numerous contemporary portraits, prints and coins have been drawn upon for the illustrations, and the facilities afforded by the authorities of the British Museum for this purpose are acknowledged with gratitude.

King Henry VIII. at the Field of the Cloth of Gold.