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
The Tudors relationships, historical costume, physical appearance and the timing of events. As creator Hirst said, "Showtime commissioned me to write an entertainment, a soap opera, and not history ... And we wanted people to watch it." He added that some changes were made for production considerations and some to avoid viewer confusion and that "any confusion created by the changes is outweighed by the interest the series may inspire in the period and its figures." The premiere of "The Tudors" on 1 April 2007, was the highest-rated Showtime series debut in three years. On 23 March 2008, "The New York Times"