This period saw serious challenges to Catholic Church, and although superstition and a deep fear of loosing one's soul still ruled the minds of many people, science began to take root, along with global exploration and the beginnings of religious freedom.

The main goal of "Henry VII" was to restore royal authority after the warring disorder resulting from the "War of the Roses". By 1509 he had introduced a concept known as "Justice Of Peace". These were the key enforcers of law and order during his period. The office of "Justice Of Peace" was taken up by local gentry who saw the office as means of local influence and prestige. For "Henry VII" they were an unpaid form of policing that reduced the tax bill on an already empoveraged nation.

"Henry VII" died in 1509 and was succeeded by his more famous son Henry VIII (1509 to 1547). Scarborough Castle, Scarborough and Saint Marys Church fell into a dilapidated state during "Henry VIII" reign

"Henry VIII" early years saw him write a treatise denouncing Martin Luther's Reformist ideals. This earned him the title "Defender of the Faith". He was also NOT a supporter of the Lollardy movement that was still strong in England.

A series of events, most notably dealing with divorcing his many wives, saw "Henry VIII" alter greatly Christian religion, not only in England also throughout the Christian world. It saw the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic church. The Pope excommunicated "Henry VIII" in 1533.

Religious reforms were introduced throughout the country including the dissolution of many monasteries. In Scarborough, the Friaries were closed as a means of suppressing Roman Catholic religious activities. Robert Aske took up the cause (Pilgrimage of Grace) against the reforms, in Yorkshire. He beseiged Scarborough Castle for several weeks in 1536, and he was subsequently beheaded in York (July 1537).

Edward VI came to the thrown after "Henry VIII" death in 1547. He was King for about ten years and saw the introduction of Anglicanism.

"Edward VI" was followed for a short period by Lady Jane . She was queen for only nine days, and was followed by Mary I .

"Mary I" was a devoted Catholic. She wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. Her half sister Elisabeth was a Protestant and was not trusted by "Mary I". Elisabeth was the focal point for all protestants in England, putting Elisabeth in a mortally dangerous situation. "Mary I" also planned on Marrying King Phillip II of Spain which would have put a Catholic Spanish King on the English thrown.

Thomas Wyatt was a leading rebel against the marriage of "Mary I" to King Phillip II of Spain. As part of the rebellion, Thomas Stafford led a party of rebels disguised as countrymen into the unsuspecting Scarborough Castle and took it without bloodshed in 1557.

In 1558, Queen Elizabeth I became the first protestant monarch of England. She deployed a garrison at Scarborough as an early defence against potential Scottish invasion, and invested £500 for the rebuilding of Scarborough Harbour

This began a golden era for England and a substantial increase in English influence and power around the world including the colonisation of North America. It also saw a more religiously diverse England. Although there was still a great deal of religious persecution.