England, 1509–1603: authority, nation and religion

This topic covers the transformative period of Tudor rule in England, from Henry VII's consolidation of power after the Wars of the Roses to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. It explores how monarchs asserted authority, managed religious change, and shaped national identity. Key themes include the break from Rome, the establishment of the Church of England, and the challenges of governing a diverse realm, including Wales, Ireland, and the northern borders.

Understanding this period is crucial because it laid the foundations for modern Britain. The religious settlements of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I created a Protestant nation, but also generated deep divisions that led to plots, rebellions, and foreign threats. The development of parliamentary statute as a source of law, the growth of the Privy Council, and the use of propaganda (e.g., royal portraits, progresses) all illustrate how Tudor monarchs centralised power.

This topic fits into the wider A-Level course by linking to themes of authority, religion, and nationhood across different periods. It also connects to later Stuart history, as the religious and political tensions of the Tudor era directly influenced the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. Students should see this as a story of how a small, vulnerable kingdom became a major European power with a distinct national church.