Tudor Brief Essay Plans Exam Questions and Answers
2023 Verified
To what extent was England's government fundamentally transformed in the years 1509
to 1547?
Was transformed:
-Elton's thesis, Cromwell revolutionised government from 'medieval to modern'
Wasn't transformed:
-Wolsey simply altered existing parts of the government to make them more effective,
but he did not introduce any new reform e.g. Court of Star Chamber and Chancery and
reform in Privy Chamber (excludes Gentlemen of the Chamber)
-Wolsey made changes to how finance was collected e.g. tudor subsidies.
'The Elizabethan religious settlement was successfully established in the years 1558 to
1603.'
Was successful:
-No threat from Catholics in the first 10 years.
-Puritan attack (Vestiarian Controversy) posed no significant threat to Elizabeth. Liz's
dismissal of bishops and academics for no support to the Act of Uniformity) showed her
determination to enforce the settlement.
-Presbyterianism marginalised by end of reign, Whitgifts 3 Articles successful as
Cartwright (leader of presbyterians) was refused a licence to preach). Declined in
1580s.
Was not successful:
-Threats from Catholics in the middle years were significant e.g. Northern Rebellion led
by Earl of Westmorland.
-Elizabeth forced to impose strict penalties against Catholics (penal laws) which
enforced religious settlement and protected England against Catholic influence.
-'half reformed' as convocation proved to be unsuccessful in achieving wider aims of its
leading members concerning the remaining features of Catholic practice within the
Church and its structures.
'The foreign policy of Henry VIII failed to achieve its objectives in the years 1509 to
1547.'
Objectives:
-Make England known.
-War with France, 'warrior king'
-Demonstrate strength as a young king.
Failed:
-Limited resources, England couldn't compete in wealth/size with the French or HRE
(Charles inherited Spain + HRE)
-England declared war on France in 1522, gained nothing and was very costly.
-Failed alliance with the Schmalkaldic League in 1540, Anne and Henry married in
, January and they were divorced by summer, however wasn't needed.
Successful:
-Battle of Flodden 1513, enhanced England's reputation as they killed 10,000 Scots
including King James IV, left Scotland to be ruled by baby James V. Reduced threat
from Scotland. Battle of Solway Moss 1542, 1000 Scots taken prisoner, James V died of
a fever leaving crown to week old daughter Mary. Had been weakened again. Henry
failed to capitalise on this.
-Treaty of London 1518 'a glittering success', established England as a peacemaker
and allowed them to carry on doing so for the next few years.
-After England captured Boulogne in 1544, French agreed to renew payments of
pension money to English as well as keep Boulogne.
'Rebellions in the years 1549 to 1571 stemmed from weakness of central government.'
Western Rebellion 1549:
-Caused by Somerset's religious reforms e.g. Book of Common Prayer and Act of
Uniformity.
-Somerset dealt with it badly, first attempt at suppression didn't work so Norfolk had to
be sent up.
Kett's Rebellion 1549:
-Caused by enclosure.
Northern Rebellion 1569:
-Caused by Earl of Northumberland and Westmoreland who disliked Elizabethan
religious settlement.
-Wanted to kill Elizabeth and put Mary as queen.
-Highlighted a weakness in government as it was a significant threat to Elizabeth who
faced many plots against her.
'Throughout her reign, Elizabeth I controlled her ministers with masterly political skill.'
Controlled her ministers:
-She was very certain on issues which she thought were her royal prerogative e.g. her
marriage, declaring war and dissolving Parliament. She was strong willed and didn't let
her ministers gain too much power.
-No single minister, not even Cecil (who she had worked with for 40 years), had
complete control over patronage.
-After the Treaty of Nonsuch and Dudley was sent over to the Netherlands, he was
immediately recalled when Liz found out that he had taken a title offered to him by the
Dutch Protestants.
Did not control her ministers:
-Cecil and Walsingham had huge influence in Parliament and were able to persuade
Elizabeth, especially at the beginning of her reign e.g. Cecil was keen on supporting the
Lords of the Congregation in Scotland even though John Knox had written a book
against females in power (Liz and Mary QOS).
'Elizabeth's foreign policy towards Spain was always weak and unconvincing.'
2023 Verified
To what extent was England's government fundamentally transformed in the years 1509
to 1547?
Was transformed:
-Elton's thesis, Cromwell revolutionised government from 'medieval to modern'
Wasn't transformed:
-Wolsey simply altered existing parts of the government to make them more effective,
but he did not introduce any new reform e.g. Court of Star Chamber and Chancery and
reform in Privy Chamber (excludes Gentlemen of the Chamber)
-Wolsey made changes to how finance was collected e.g. tudor subsidies.
'The Elizabethan religious settlement was successfully established in the years 1558 to
1603.'
Was successful:
-No threat from Catholics in the first 10 years.
-Puritan attack (Vestiarian Controversy) posed no significant threat to Elizabeth. Liz's
dismissal of bishops and academics for no support to the Act of Uniformity) showed her
determination to enforce the settlement.
-Presbyterianism marginalised by end of reign, Whitgifts 3 Articles successful as
Cartwright (leader of presbyterians) was refused a licence to preach). Declined in
1580s.
Was not successful:
-Threats from Catholics in the middle years were significant e.g. Northern Rebellion led
by Earl of Westmorland.
-Elizabeth forced to impose strict penalties against Catholics (penal laws) which
enforced religious settlement and protected England against Catholic influence.
-'half reformed' as convocation proved to be unsuccessful in achieving wider aims of its
leading members concerning the remaining features of Catholic practice within the
Church and its structures.
'The foreign policy of Henry VIII failed to achieve its objectives in the years 1509 to
1547.'
Objectives:
-Make England known.
-War with France, 'warrior king'
-Demonstrate strength as a young king.
Failed:
-Limited resources, England couldn't compete in wealth/size with the French or HRE
(Charles inherited Spain + HRE)
-England declared war on France in 1522, gained nothing and was very costly.
-Failed alliance with the Schmalkaldic League in 1540, Anne and Henry married in
, January and they were divorced by summer, however wasn't needed.
Successful:
-Battle of Flodden 1513, enhanced England's reputation as they killed 10,000 Scots
including King James IV, left Scotland to be ruled by baby James V. Reduced threat
from Scotland. Battle of Solway Moss 1542, 1000 Scots taken prisoner, James V died of
a fever leaving crown to week old daughter Mary. Had been weakened again. Henry
failed to capitalise on this.
-Treaty of London 1518 'a glittering success', established England as a peacemaker
and allowed them to carry on doing so for the next few years.
-After England captured Boulogne in 1544, French agreed to renew payments of
pension money to English as well as keep Boulogne.
'Rebellions in the years 1549 to 1571 stemmed from weakness of central government.'
Western Rebellion 1549:
-Caused by Somerset's religious reforms e.g. Book of Common Prayer and Act of
Uniformity.
-Somerset dealt with it badly, first attempt at suppression didn't work so Norfolk had to
be sent up.
Kett's Rebellion 1549:
-Caused by enclosure.
Northern Rebellion 1569:
-Caused by Earl of Northumberland and Westmoreland who disliked Elizabethan
religious settlement.
-Wanted to kill Elizabeth and put Mary as queen.
-Highlighted a weakness in government as it was a significant threat to Elizabeth who
faced many plots against her.
'Throughout her reign, Elizabeth I controlled her ministers with masterly political skill.'
Controlled her ministers:
-She was very certain on issues which she thought were her royal prerogative e.g. her
marriage, declaring war and dissolving Parliament. She was strong willed and didn't let
her ministers gain too much power.
-No single minister, not even Cecil (who she had worked with for 40 years), had
complete control over patronage.
-After the Treaty of Nonsuch and Dudley was sent over to the Netherlands, he was
immediately recalled when Liz found out that he had taken a title offered to him by the
Dutch Protestants.
Did not control her ministers:
-Cecil and Walsingham had huge influence in Parliament and were able to persuade
Elizabeth, especially at the beginning of her reign e.g. Cecil was keen on supporting the
Lords of the Congregation in Scotland even though John Knox had written a book
against females in power (Liz and Mary QOS).
'Elizabeth's foreign policy towards Spain was always weak and unconvincing.'
