House of Tudor ruled their domains for just over a century. Henry VIII was the only son of Henry VII to live to the age of maturity. Issues around the royal succession (including marriage and the succession rights of women) became major political themes during the Tudor era. The House of Stuart, descended from Henry VII's daughter Margaret, came to power in 1603 when Elizabeth I died and the Tudor line failed. For analysis of politics, diplomacy and social history, see Tudor period. The Tudors descended on Henry VII's mother's side from John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, one of the illegitimate children
Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House His Royal Highness, the Duke of Bragança, Dom Duarte Pio. First bestowed in 1993, it confers the following traditional ranks of Knighthood of the Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House of Bragança namely: Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House The Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House ( or "Ordem do Mérito da Causa Monárquica") is an award for extraordinary services rendered to the Portuguese Royal House and for outstanding Merit in the Monarchist Cause. The Order also confers the Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause, Youth Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause