WEDNESDAY

Spelling School

w 1400 zm. Geoffrey Chaucer author of The Canterbury Tales, the story of a pilgrimage to Canterbury. It is a collection of English poems, from the fictional characters on the pilgrimage. The book was printed by William Caxton, who was the very first person in England to print using a printing press.

Official end to the Wars of the Roses at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Part 1. Edward IV of House of York ur. 1442, zm. 1483 (white rose), defeats House of Lancaster (red rose) and takes the throne.

Part 2. Edward dies, Richard III of House of York takes the throne in 1483-1485 and is then defeated by Henry Tudor, from House of Lancaster. This marked 1485 year as the beginning of the Tudor Dynasty. Henry VII did his utmost to ensure that there would be no repetition of the Wars of the Roses. In order to ensure this, he took steps to reduce the power of noblemen in England, and put more weight/authority behind the crown. He was the King until 1509.

Catherine of Aragon born 1485-1536. Henry's first wife was Catherine of Aragon. Spanish born, she had a number of children with Henry, but only one child survived. This was a girl named Mary 1516-1558 - queen from 1553 after her brother Edward VI died. Henry divorce Catherine once she became too old to have children. In contrast to Edward, Mary was a Catholic. She became known as "Bloody Mary" after her harsh treatment towards Protestants, 280 of whom were burned at the stake. After a short reign, Mary died and Elizabeth I started to reign.

Anne Boleyn born 1501-1536. Next came Anne Boleyn. English born, Anne gave Henry another daughter, Elizabeth (born 1533-1603, the queen since 1559 - Elizabeth I. She didn't had any children so the Tudor dynasty ended). Anne Boleyn at the end was arrested on charges of adultery and incest (kazirodztwo) and was executed at the Tower of London.

Jane Seymour born 1508-1537. Jane Seymour was Henry's third wife. She provided Henry with a son Edward, but died after giving birth.  Edward (born 1537-1553), become the king Edward VI after his father died in 1547. Edward was a devout Protestant, who introduced the Book of Common Prayer to the Church of England. Edward died at the age of 15, after which his half-sister Mary became queen.

Anne of Cleves born 1515-1557. Henry's fourth wife was Anne of Cleves, a German princes. Henry married her purely for political reasons but quickly divorce her after realising that he didn't find her attractive. Following the divorce, Henry and Anne became great friends.

Catherine Howard, English born 1523-1542. Catherine Howard was a cousin of Anne Boleyn, and was very young when she married Henry on 28 July 1540 at the age of 17. Their marriage did not last long. Like Anne Boleyn, Catherine was accused of adultery and executed.

Catherine Parr, English born 1512-1548. Catherine Parr was Henry's final wife. She outlived Henry, before marrying again, but died shortly after.

Before Mary flee to England, she put her Protestant son, James VI, on the Throne.

When Elizabeth died in 1603, James VI become King James I of England.

The Elizabethan Religious Settlement is the name given to the religious and political arrangements made for England during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558–1603). Implemented between 1559 and 1563, the settlement is considered the end of the English Reformation, permanently shaping the theology and liturgy of the Church of England and laying the foundations of Anglicanism's unique identity. It required any public or church office members to swear allegiance to the queen as the head of church and state. Anyone who refused risked imprisonment or even execution.

1. Romeo and Juliet, 2. King Lear, 3. Macbeth, 4.A midsummer Night's Dream, 5. The Taming of the Shrew.

Shakespeare's plays were performed in the Globe Theatre. Today, there exists a modern copy of the Globe Theatre (in London) in which re-enactments (wznowienia) are performed.