England 1547–1603: the late Tudors

This topic covers the tumultuous period of English history from the death of Henry VIII in 1547 to the end of Elizabeth I's reign in 1603. It examines the mid-Tudor crisis under Edward VI and Mary I, the religious upheavals of the Reformation, and the eventual stability and cultural flowering of the Elizabethan era. Students will explore how the monarchy navigated challenges such as succession crises, foreign threats, and religious divisions, ultimately shaping England's emergence as a Protestant nation and a rising European power.

Understanding this period is crucial for grasping the long-term development of the English state, the Church of England, and the monarchy's relationship with Parliament. The late Tudors witnessed the consolidation of royal authority after the Wars of the Roses, the establishment of Protestantism, and the beginnings of English colonialism. Key themes include the impact of personal rule, the role of faction and counsel, and the interplay between domestic and foreign policy. This topic also provides essential context for the subsequent Stuart period and the English Civil War.

Within the OCR A-Level specification, this topic is part of the 'England 1485–1603: the Early Tudors' module, focusing on the second half of the dynasty. Students are expected to analyse the effectiveness of monarchical government, the causes and consequences of religious change, and the social and economic developments of the period. Mastery of this content requires engagement with primary sources, historiographical debates, and the ability to construct balanced arguments about continuity and change.