a level history henry viii essay questions

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AS and A-level History

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources
• Assessment resources
• Introduction
• Specification at a glance
• 1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
• 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598 (A-level only)

1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603

• 1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
• 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796 (A-level only)
• 1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783–1885
• 1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964
• 1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
• 1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
• 1K The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
• 1L The quest for political stability: Germany, 1871–1991
• 2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
• 2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499
• 2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564 (A-level only)
• 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
• 2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660
• 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715 (A-level only)
• 2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
• 2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815 (A-level only)
• 2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
• 2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941 (A-level only)
• 2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945
• 2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957
• 2N Revolution and dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
• 2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945
• 2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997
• 2Q The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980
• 2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
• 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
• 2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only)
• Component 3: Historical investigation (non-exam assessment) (A-level only)
• Scheme of assessment
• Non-exam assessment administration
• General administration

This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions:

• How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?
• In what ways and how effectively was England governed during this period?
• How did relations with foreign powers change and how was the succession secured?
• How did English society and economy change and with what effects?
• How far did intellectual and religious ideas change and develop and with what effects?
• How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments?

Part one: consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England, 1485–1547

Henry vii, 1485–1509.

• Henry Tudor’s consolidation of power: character and aims; establishing the Tudor dynasty
• Government: councils, parliament, justice, royal finance, domestic policies
• Relationships with Scotland and other foreign powers; securing the succession; marriage alliances
• Society: churchmen, nobles and commoners; regional division; social discontent and rebellions
• Economic development: trade, exploration, prosperity and depression
• Religion; humanism; arts and learning

Henry VIII, 1509–1547

• Henry VIII: character and aims; addressing Henry VII’s legacy
• Government: Crown and Parliament, ministers, domestic policies including the establishment of Royal Supremacy
• Relationships with Scotland and other foreign powers; securing the succession
• Society: elites and commoners; regional issues and the social impact of religious upheaval; rebellion
• Religion: renaissance ideas; reform of the Church; continuity and change by 1547

Part two: England: turmoil and triumph, 1547–1603 (A-level only)

Instability and consolidation: 'the mid-tudor crisis', 1547–1563 (a-level only).

• Edward VI, Somerset and Northumberland; royal authority; problems of succession; relations with foreign powers
• The social impact of religious and economic changes under Edward VI; rebellion; intellectual developments; humanist and religious thought
• Mary I and her ministers; royal authority; problems of succession; relations with foreign powers
• The social impact of religious and economic changes under Mary I; rebellion; intellectual developments; humanist and religious thought
• Elizabeth I: character and aims; consolidation of power, including the Act of Settlement and relations with foreign powers
• The impact of economic, social and religious developments in the early years of Elizabeth's rule

The triumph of Elizabeth, 1563–1603 (A-level only)

• Elizabethan government: court, ministers and parliament; factional rivalries
• Foreign affairs: issues of succession; Mary, Queen of Scots; relations with Spain
• Society: continuity and change; problems in the regions; social discontent and rebellions
• Economic development: trade, exploration and colonisation; prosperity and depression
• Religious developments, change and continuity; the English renaissance and ‘the Golden Age’ of art, literature and music
• The last years of Elizabeth: the state of England politically, economically, religiously and socially by 1603

Henry VIII & Religion

Henrician reformation.

Although Henry VIII was against the Pope, he didn’t agree much with Protestantism either. His ‘Reformation’ was not very Protestant and is often called the Henrician Reformation.

Theological to-ing and fro-ing

• Key theological issues were unresolved in the 1530s.
• In 1536, the Act of Ten Articles rejected four of the Catholics’ seven sacraments.
• But in 1537, the Bishops' Book was published. It gave advice and attacked abuses and Catholic superstitions. But it also restored the missing four sacraments.
• An English Bible was published. Its frontispiece showed God giving Henry VIII His word and Henry VIII handing it to the English people.

Theological resolution

• In 1539, the Act of the Six Articles confirmed key Roman Catholic beliefs including confession to priests and, most importantly, transubstantiation (the substance of the wine and bread in communion becomes Christ's body and blood).
• The Act banned Protestant beliefs like married clergy and giving the wine as well as bread at holy communion.
• In 1539, the Act for Dissolution of the Greater Monasteries made sure of the continuation of a vital source of revenue as Henry was fortifying southern England.

Dissolution of the monasteries

• Although there were political and economic reasons for the dissolution of the monasteries, there were religious ones too.
• As Vicar-General, Cromwell was against ‘superstitious’ Catholic practices, such as praying for souls of dead in Purgatory, saints’ relics and pilgrimages.
• In 1535, Cromwell sent out Visitations telling them to find evidence that monks and nuns were not living up to their vows.

• The Henrician Reformation is often called 'Catholicism without the Pope'.

Historical Assessment

• Richard Morrison, a humanist with connections to Thomas Cromwell, said: 'Of all the miracles and wonders of our time, I take the change of our sovereign lord’s opinion on matters concerning religion to be even the greatest.'
• Referring to this quote, historian Richard Rex (1997), a professor of the Reformation says that 'Henry’s change of opinion has challenged historians ever since.'

Change in 1547 During Henry VIII's Reign

Between 1536 and 1547, England's religious landscape changed dramatically. But the Reformation was not irreversible.

Protestant reformers

• Hardline Protestants such as Hugh Latimer and Thomas Cranmer were spreading Protestant beliefs through their preaching and prominence in government.
• Cromwell was pushing for doctrinal reform, as demonstrated in the Ten Articles of Faith. This was a compromise between Lutheran and traditional Catholic ideas.

Internal divisions

• Historian Peter Marshall describes the 'kaleidoscopic diversity' of Protestants in Tudor England.
• This reminds us that there were considerable divisions amongst Protestant reformers. They couldn't agree at all about what the future of the Church looked like.

Impact of the vernacular scripture

• Perhaps the most noticeable changes in the Church, to an ordinary layman, was the use of vernacular scripture (an English Bible).
• A contemporary, called Becon, describes the impact of this change: 'the restoration of Scripture was the foremost reason to praise God and the king'.

The future of the Church of England?

• Following Henry VIII's death in 1547, Edward VI came to the throne.
• But Edward VI was only nine years old and dependent on a regency government. Edward VI's advisors and ministers would become very influential in shaping the Church of England.
• The future of the English nation and the religious settlement was very uncertain.

Continuity of Religion in 1547

During the 1540s, many Catholic beliefs were reinforced by the government. Evidence from parish records shows that the majority of English people did not like radical religious change.

Henry's conservatism

• Henry VIII was undoubtedly conservative in his religious views.
• In reaction to the changes between 1535 and 1538, he had a conservative backlash. This is seen in the tone of the Six Articles of 1539.

Opposition to change

• There was still resistance to religious change at Court.
• Key figures refused to take the oath accepting Henry's divorce. Examples included the Chancellor, Thomas More and the Bishop of Rochester, John Fisher. Both were executed.

The experience of the laity

• Although reformers were obsessed with the theological details, most of the laity were not concerned with this.
• By and large, the experience of the laity did not change hugely during the Henrician Reformation.

Historical debate on the Catholic Church

• It is too simplistic to say that the Catholic Church was doomed after Henry VIII's break from Rome.
• In the 16th century and thereafter, Protestants created the myth that the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism was easy.
• Historians, such as Duffy, have argued that the Catholic Church still had a rich religious culture and was popular in the mid-1500s.

Historical assessment

• Ethan Shagan (2002) 'The reformation was "popular" in that people played an important role in deciding what sort of reformation they experienced and constructing the meanings in their communities.' 'English Reformation was not done _to_ people, it was done with them.'
• Christopher Haigh (1993) 'The Protestant Reformation was far less effective than the political reformations had been: legislative destruction proved easier than evangelical construction.'
• Davis (1997) 'Although some Lollards were anti-papal there were few reformers in the years 1531-33 who shared their views...'

1 Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1 Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1 Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2 Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3 Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5 Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6 Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7 Henry VII & Society

1.1.8 End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9 Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10 Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11 Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12 End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2 Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1 Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2 Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3 Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4 End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5 Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6 Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7 Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8 End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9 Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10 Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11 Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12 End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2 England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1 Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1 Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2 Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3 Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4 End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5 Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6 Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7 Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8 End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9 Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10 Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11 The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12 End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13 Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14 Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15 Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16 End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2 The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1 Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2 Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3 Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4 End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5 Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6 Relations with Spain

2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8 Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9 Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10 Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11 End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12 Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13 The English Renaissance

2.2.14 Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15 End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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Henry VIII & Economic Development

End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

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Henry VIII Essay Questions

By william shakespeare, essay questions.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Micola Magdalena

Who is Henry VIII, the king mentioned in the play?

The name most likely refers to the King of England who ruled from 1950 until 1547. The King remained in the history of the British Empire as one of the most controversial rulers, mainly because of the large number of wives the King took, and killed. The King married six different wives, one of which was sentenced to death by the King himself. The King had his first marriage annulled by creating a new religion, the Church of England, and making himself head of the Church, in spite of the opposition from the Pope. The action presented in the play takes place during the time when King VIII decided to annulled his marriage to his first wife, Catherine, and marry the much younger woman, Anne Boleyn.

Who is the Cardinal in the play?

The Cardinal in the play is Thomas Wolsey, the man who served as cardinal under the rule of Henry VIII. He was first named Cardinal of the Catholic Church, meaning he was among the most powerful people in the state, holding the superior religious position. King Henry acquired the cardinal’s help when trying to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and marry another woman named Anne Boleyn. The Cardinal did everything he could to secure an annulment from the Pope in Rome but was unsuccessful. Because of this, the Cardinal fell from the King’s graces and was stripped of his titles and of the lands he owned. Shortly before his death, the Cardinal was accused of treason by the King but he died before the King could order his execution. In the play, the cardinal is described as an extremely vain and power driven person. According to history, this representation may come close to the truth, Cardinal Wolsey being known for doing everything he could to secure his position and power in the British society of the time.

Why is the Cardinal accused of abusing the tax system in Act I, Scene I?

During his time as Cardinal, Wolsey changed the taxing system in England to such a way that those who has a great deal of wealth were forced to pay the bulk in taxes while the poor had to pay almost nothing at all. Until that point, the taxing system in England was the same for everyone, every person having to pay a fixed amount, no matter their social status. Wolsey introduced a new system which brought a lot more money for the crown, forcing the wealthy to pay taxes in accordance with the wealth they had. He also forced the nobility to grant loans for the Crown, a controversial move criticized by the ruling class. While it is unsure if Wolsey had any personal grains from the new taxing system, we can understand why the Queen, who had many relatives inside the court who were forced to pay a great amount of taxes were displeased with the new system.

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Henry VIII Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Henry VIII is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for Henry VIII

Henry VIII study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Henry VIII
• Henry VIII Summary
• Character List

Essays for Henry VIII

Henry VIII essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

• Analysis of Cardinal Wolsey's Soliloquy
• Wolsey’s Complex Response

Wikipedia Entries for Henry VIII

• Introduction