Elizabeth: Mid-Tudor Crisis
"A state of crisis existed in England between 1540 and 1563."
Assess the validity of this view.
What is significant about these years? In 1540, Cromwell fell from power, and it
was in this year that Henry no longer had a foreign minister. It was set in a fragile system
of flicking between Catholicism and Protestantism. It was in this period that four
monarchs ruled over England and England was a fragile microcosm of wider European
changes.
When was England in a state of crisis? Under the reigns of Edward and Mary,
England was particularly in a period of crisis following the Succession Crisis and the rapid
religious changes during this time. This is reflective of the rebellions that took place
under these reigns. However, there were also rebellions about social and political
discontent at this time as well, whether that be on a national or local level.
When was England not in a state of crisis? In the final years of Henry VIII’s
reign, it can be said that England was not in a state of crisis. This is evident in terms of
the lack of rebellions. Whilst religious changes were taking place, this ultimately gave the
monarch and Parliament more power, and therefore was seen as “readjustment” and not
a state of crisis. Under Elizabeth, it could be suggested that the first few years of her
reign were free from crisis due to the lack of rebellions at this time.
Factors Within Theme
Foreign Policy – Calais, Boulogne, Scotland
Religion – Break with Rome, Book of Common Prayer 1549, Book of Common Prayer
1552, lifting excommunication
Historiography
"A state of crisis existed in England between 1540 and 1563."
Assess the validity of this view.
Conclusion: To conclude, the view is largely valid. Although there was certainly a state
of crisis during the reigns of Edward and Mary, it’s clear that the end of Henry’s reign was
largely peaceful by comparison. A good method by which to measure the extent of a
crisis is the amount of rebellions, and under the reigns of Henry and Elizabeth between
1540 and 1563, these were largely limited. By contrast, there were more rebellions in the
reigns of Edward and Mary, reflecting a wider social and political discontent, and
magnifying the crises elsewhere in society. There is no crisis during this time more
prevalent other than religion. Although it can be viewed as relatively peaceful in the
reigns of each monarch in isolation, the combination of these fluctuating religious
changes reflects the true chaos that was created by this, which is further exacerbated by
the number of rebellions. Therefore, whilst it can’t be applied to the whole period, it’s
clear that that the view is largely valid.
Points
Religion
Henry VIII
o The King’s Book 1543
Henry VIII behind its publication
Reasserted 7 sacraments
o Act for the Advancement of the True Religion 1543
, Restricted the reading of the Bible to clerics, noblemen, the gentry
and richer merchants
Repealed under Edward – shows a fluctuating state, suggesting
crisis
Edward VI
o 1547 Act of Six Articles is repealed
o 1547 Act of Treason is repealed
Discuss religion freely, no fear of persecution
Causes chaos as Protestants use this to express radical ideas,
attacking Catholicism
o 1549 Act of Uniformity
Moderate, compromise
Communion in two kinds ; clerical marriages allowed ; traditional
vestments still to be worn ; only 5 sacraments
o 1552 Book of Common Prayer
In “remembrance” – highly Protestant
Traditional robes not to be worn
In confirmation, the sign of the cross was abolished
Mary
o 280 Protestants burned
E.g. Alice Downs was 60-year-old
Evoked sympathy and divided her cause
o 1553 – First Act of Repeal (removed all of Edward’s legislation)
o Gave up title of Supreme Head of the Church in first parliament
Elizabeth
o 1559 – Act of Supremacy
Supreme Governor, not Supreme Head
o Book of Common Prayer (1559) took ideas of “Body of Christ” and in
“remembrance”
o 1559 Royal Injunctions
Via media
Banned pilgrimages, every Church have English bible, vestments
reinforced
o 1563 39 Articles
“something of a hybrid” (Doran) of Protestant ideas
Not law until 1571 Parliament
Rebellion
Henry VIII
o No rebellions during this time
Not a state of crisis
Edward VI
o 17 rebellions in 1549
o Western Rebellion
Over 6000 rebels
3000 people killed
Demands never met
o Kett’s Rebellion
Army of 12,000 sent in (inc. foreign mercenaries and troops from
Scotland)
Only executed 49
Demands not acted on but Kett was executed
Mary I
o Wyatt’s rebellion
, Elizabeth and Courtenay not executed because of fear of more
rebellion
Only 90 executed
Mary could rally support in London with the speech
Elizabeth
o O’Neils Rebellion 1559
Didn’t threaten English government as it was in Ireland – no way to
march on London
Shane O’Neil also tried to make peace and negotiate with English
government in 1561 (although this didn’t work, it was down to an
unexpected assassination)
The English couldn’t recognise him as the heir because of his ties
with Scotland
Took 5 years to be supressed- therefore a serious issue that caused
crisis. This was only an isolated incident
Foreign Policy
Henry VIII
o Scotland
Battle of Solway Moss – English win
James V dies a few days after – starts the Rough Wooing after the
Treaty of Greenwich in 1543, which is embarrassing but not a crisis
o France
1544 invasion of Boulogne
1546 Treaty of Campe with France. England will keep Boulogne for
eight years
Edward VI
o Battle of Pinkie Clough 1547
18,000 troops and 4,500 cavalry – gave England control of the
border
Rough Wooing persists
Scottish campaign cost £580,000 under Somerset
o 1550 Treaty of Boulogne
French pay £133,333 to England – less than Henry VIII originally
asked for
1551 Treaty of Angers – Edward to marry Eliz of Valois (HII
daughter)
o 1551 Treaty of Norham
England and Scotland – England lose territory
Mary I
o Marriage alliance
Creates an ally with Spain
Favourable marriage terms
o Loss of Calais
2000 Eng troops in Calais against 27,000 French troops
Treaty of Cateau-Cembresis
Crowson has described it as “crippling” to the economy
Elizabeth
o Netherlands
1563 trade embargo
¾ of English trade goes through Antwerp – this damages both
countries
o Scotland
Treaty of Berwick 1560
, Agreed to support Protestant Lords against Marie of Guise
Treaty of Edinburgh – Moray is regent until MQS returns
