Henry VII (1457-1509), English School, 16th century. BHC2762

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Location: Queen's House ground floor, north side

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Elizabeth I, 1533-1603, British School, 16th century The paintings displayed in this room are from the earliest period of English history covered by the National Maritime Museum’s art collection.

Henry VII was the founder of the Tudor dynasty. His son, Henry VIII, was the father of Edward VI and the two queens Mary I and Elizabeth I.

The two Henrys extended the now-vanished Palace of Placentia in Greenwich. Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth were all born at Greenwich and Edward VI died at Old Court, Greenwich, in 1553.

Elizabeth’s reign, which began in 1558, was the first great age of English seafaring. In 1577, Francis Drake sailed out past Greenwich on the first English voyage around the world. There are also paintings of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Drake’s fireship attack helped to scatter the Spanish invasion fleet.

For a short time, the king of Spain, Philip II, was also the king of England while he was married to Queen Mary, Elizabeth I's elder sister.