With a French princess and Welsh courtier as its progenitors, the Tudor dynasty continued England’s tradition of rule shaped by outside influence. This program examines the saga set in motion by Owen Tudor and Catherine of Valois, illustrating the events that led to the coronation of Henry Tudor and shedding light on the entire succession of Tudor monarchs. With the murderous power-grab of Richard III as counterpoint, the program explores the bloody reigns of Henry VIII and Mary I, and shows how their successor, Elizabeth I, reversed the trend—becoming synonymous with England’s domestic tranquility and supremacy on the world stage. (46 minutes)