Maria H. Koonce Ed.d.

Six Tudor Queens Maria H. Koonce Ed.d.

Six Tudor Queens is a tongue in cheek play of an imaginary meeting, in our times, of the wives of Henry VIII. Their conversation is modern and reflects each of the queens' unique experiences with this complex giant in our history. This short skit makes an ideal closure activity for a Social Sciences unit on the Tudors. It will allow teachers to expand and bring alive an era that was so full of turmoil and drama, depicting the passionate struggles for power and possessions, that led to religious schism, and one of the greatest female rulers of all time: Elizabeth I, unwelcomed daughter of conniving and ill-fated Anne Boleyn. In addition, a short summary of all monarchs of the Tudor dynasty highlight the main aspects of their lives and reigns. Existing portraits of the characters, mostly based on Holbein painings, are reproduced and help personalize each one: Henry, as the young, virile King, and his first three loves - Katharine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Jane Seymour; then Henry in his later years, heavyset and aged, but still arrogant and just as royal as ever, and his last three wives - Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Katherine Parr. Teachers and parents alike can enjoy having their children enact and re-live this fascinating historical perspective of our heritage.