The Tudor dynasty changed England, Europe, and the world. And the scandals changed the dynasty!

This week we’ll be looking at the top 10 scandals that plagued those who ruled England in the second half of the reign: a boy and two women. That reality was what the Tudors were so desperate to avoid: a child king had been at the heart of the troubles of the Wars of the Roses. Both Richard II and Henry VI had taken the throne as children, and both reigns had ended in disaster. 

Edward wasn’t old enough to rule the country, and that meant years of some kind of regency or council-driven reign, with other men holding power and having the opportunity to make the key decisions. It also opened the door to personal agendas and potential battles within the heart of government. 

And then…two women! Both of them crowned queen on her own, breaking hundreds of years of traditional male rule. No woman before Mary Tudor had been crowned Queen of England. And for her to be followed by another woman! The fact of them on the throne was scandal enough.

But each of these three children of Henry VIII who represent the second half of the Tudor dynasty had plenty of scandals beyond that. 

History shows us what's possible.