Who was the last ruling monarch of the Tudor dynasty?

Queen Elizabeth I was the last ruling monarch of the Tudor dynasty, reigning from 1558 until her death in 1603. Her rules marked the culmination of the Tudor period, which was characterized by significant developments in English governance, culture, and exploration. Her reign was known as the Elizabethan Era, a time praised for its flourishing of the arts, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and increased overseas exploration, particularly by figures like Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake.

After Elizabeth's death, she left no immediate heir, which led to the end of the Tudor lineage and the ascension of James VI of Scotland to the English throne as James I, thus beginning the Stuart dynasty. This transition was a significant moment in British history as it marked the union of the crowns of England and Scotland. The legacy of Elizabeth I, including her impact on the English Reformation and the consolidation of Protestantism in England, continues to be a vital part of the study of this era.