Tudor Brief Essay Plans Updated 2023
To what extent was England's government fundamentally transformed in the years 1509 to 1547?
- Correct answersWas 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.' -
Correct answersWas 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.' -
Correct answersObjectives:
-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.' - Correct
answersWestern 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.' - Correct
answersControlled 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.' - Correct
answersWeak:
-Elizabeth came under pressure from councillors to help Dutch protestants. Liz was unsure
because she did not feel comfortable aiding rebels who were fighting against a sovereign power
(Philip II of Spain).
To what extent was England's government fundamentally transformed in the years 1509 to 1547?
- Correct answersWas 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.' -
Correct answersWas 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.' -
Correct answersObjectives:
-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.' - Correct
answersWestern 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.' - Correct
answersControlled 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.' - Correct
answersWeak:
-Elizabeth came under pressure from councillors to help Dutch protestants. Liz was unsure
because she did not feel comfortable aiding rebels who were fighting against a sovereign power
(Philip II of Spain).
