A chronological framework for most of the period covered by the study unit on the United Kingdom 1500-1750.

Part 1 Exploration and conquest: Christians and spices; the New World; the conquistadors. Part 2 The Renaissance and Reformation: the world of 15th century Italy; the Renaissance; "on this I take my stand". Part 3 Tudor triumph: a strong monarchy - Henry VIII 1485-1509; "a very accomplished prince" - Henry VIII 1509-20; "supreme head" - Henry VIII 1520-36; pilgrims, wives and wars - Henry VIII 1536-47; the boy king - Edward VI 1547-55; "turn or Burn". Part 4 The England of Elizabeth: "a true, lawful and right inheritress" 1558-1603; queen takes queen; God's own cause - the defeat of the Armada 1558; the reign of Good Queen Bess - court, city, country, "the fourth sort", Parliament and education, God and the devil, Tudor sunset. Part 5 King and Parliament: the "wisest fool" - James I 1603-25; treason and plot; the martyr king - Charles I 1625-49; rising and remonstrance; the English Civil War 1642-43; the English Civil War 1644-46; Charles I - trial and execution; the tenth man's sword - Commonwealth and Protectorate 1649-60; the restoration world - life in Charles II's England; Charles II - from Popish to Rye House plot; James II's reign 1685-89 - the end of Stuart power; the coming of William.