England 1485–1558: the early Tudors — OCR A-Level History

This topic covers the consolidation of the Tudor dynasty from Henry VII's victory at Bosworth in 1485 to the death of Mary I in 1558. It explores how the Tudors established and maintained power after the Wars of the Roses, focusing on the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I. Key themes include the management of the nobility, the break with Rome, the English Reformation, and the religious upheavals that shaped the nation.

Understanding this period is crucial because it marks the transition from medieval to early modern England, with the establishment of a strong monarchy, the birth of the Church of England, and the foundation of England's Protestant identity. The Tudor monarchs' policies on finance, law, and religion set precedents that influenced later centuries. For A-Level students, this topic requires analysis of continuity and change, and evaluation of the effectiveness of Tudor governance.

This topic fits into the broader OCR A-Level History course as part of the 'England 1485–1558: the early Tudors' unit, which examines the political, religious, and social developments of the period. It connects to later themes such as the Elizabethan Settlement and the evolution of parliamentary power, providing a foundation for understanding early modern British history.

• →The consolidation of power: How Henry VII and his successors used methods such as bonds and recognisances, the Court of Star Chamber, and patronage to control the nobility and centralise authority.
• →The English Reformation: The break from Rome under Henry VIII, the dissolution of the monasteries, and the establishment of the Church of England, driven by political and personal motives as well as religious reform.
• →Religious change under Edward VI and Mary I: The radical Protestant reforms under Edward (e.g., the Book of Common Prayer, 1549 and 1552) and the Catholic restoration under Mary, including the Marian persecutions.
• →Financial management: The development of efficient revenue collection, including the use of crown lands, customs duties, and parliamentary grants, and the impact of inflation and war on royal finances.
• →Foreign policy: The shifting alliances and conflicts, such as Henry VIII's wars with France and Scotland, and Mary's marriage to Philip II of Spain, which influenced England's international standing.

• Analysis and evaluation of primary sources in their historical context (Enquiry Topic).
• Recall, selection, and deployment of knowledge to analyse and evaluate key features of the period.
• Understanding of causation, consequence, change, continuity, similarity, difference, and significance.
• Ability to construct a sustained line of reasoning and reach substantiated judgements.
• Evaluation of different interpretations and representations of the past.

• 💡Ensure you understand the distinction between the Enquiry Topic (source-based) and the Period Study (essay-based).
• 💡Use the Specification Creator tool to ensure your unit combination is valid.
• 💡Focus on developing analytical skills to evaluate historical interpretations.
• 💡Practice constructing structured essays that directly address the question set.
• 💡Ensure you are familiar with the assessment objectives (AO1, AO2, AO3) and how they are weighted.
• 💡Use specific examples to support your arguments. For instance, when discussing Henry VII's financial policies, mention the use of bonds and recognisances and the role of officials like Sir Reginald Bray. This demonstrates detailed knowledge.
• 💡Analyse change and continuity across the period. For example, compare the religious policies of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I, and evaluate the extent of change. Avoid simply describing events; focus on analysis and evaluation.
• 💡Consider different historical interpretations. For example, some historians argue Henry VII was a 'new monarch' who modernised government, while others see him as a traditional medieval king. Engaging with historiography can earn higher marks.

• Adopting a 'borehole' approach by focusing too narrowly on specific events without considering the wider historical context.
• Failing to use knowledge to analyse and evaluate sources, instead relying on general knowledge.
• Neglecting to reach a substantiated judgement in essay responses.
• Misinterpreting the scope of the Enquiry Topic (Mid-Tudor Crises) by including events outside the 1547–1558 timeframe.
• Misconception: Henry VIII's break with Rome was solely due to his desire for a male heir. Correction: While the 'Great Matter' of his divorce from Catherine of Aragon was a catalyst, the break was also driven by Henry's desire for supremacy over the Church, financial gain from monastic wealth, and the influence of Protestant ideas.
• Misconception: Mary I was universally hated and her reign was a complete failure. Correction: Mary initially had popular support, and her religious policies were not entirely unpopular. However, her marriage to Philip II and the burnings of Protestants (nearly 300) damaged her reputation. Her reign also saw improvements in administration and coinage reform.
• Misconception: The Tudor period was stable and peaceful. Correction: The period was marked by rebellions (e.g., the Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536; Wyatt's Rebellion, 1554), dynastic threats (e.g., Lambert Simnel, Perkin Warbeck), and religious conflict that created significant instability.