It can be argued that until 1529, the monarch only rarely summoned parliament, and it appears that their main function was to grant taxation to fund wars. Parliament had only met four times between 1509 and 1529 for this reason. It is only from 1529 that one can see that Parliament met much more frequently,Continue reading “Were there major changes in the role of Parliament from 1529 to 1588?”
Tag Archives: Tudor
Was the influence of Thomas Cromwell the main reason for reforms to the English Church from 1529-1540?
The Henrician reformation of the early fifteen hundreds was brought about by a culmination of people and factors. Before this period, Henry VIII struggled to produce an heir and the religious dominance of Rome was greatly felt by England. Factors such as these can be considered as reasons for the reformation, but they appear toContinue reading “Was the influence of Thomas Cromwell the main reason for reforms to the English Church from 1529-1540?”
Was the growth of towns the main cause of poverty in the Tudor period, 1558 – 1588?
Throughout the reign of Elizabeth I, the issue of poverty and vagrancy was a prescient one. The social situation of the country led to a great deal of government action and laws being implemented, in an attempt to reduce the number of vagrants within England. The growth of population within towns can be seen toContinue reading “Was the growth of towns the main cause of poverty in the Tudor period, 1558 – 1588?”
How was individual identity expressed materially in Tudor England?
This essay will argue that different forms of material culture allowed the people of Tudor England to express different aspects of their individual identity. A persons ‘identity’ is influenced by several different affiliations. The people of Tudor England were associated with concepts such as heraldry and social standing, religion, and gender. Each of these differentContinue reading “How was individual identity expressed materially in Tudor England?”
Close Analysis: A Tudor Witch Bottle
The object is a salt-glazed witches bottle, which was discovered in Greenwich in 2004. Inside was a sample of human urine, bent nails and pins, a pierced leather heart, fingernail clippings, naval fluff and hair and sulphur and brimstone. The presence of these materials was illuminated by Joseph Blagrave’s ‘Astrological Practice of Physic’ which notedContinue reading “Close Analysis: A Tudor Witch Bottle”
Close Analysis: King Arthur’s round table at Winchester Castle
The object is King Arthur’s Round Table which is on display at Winchester Cathedral. The wood of the table dates back to the 1200s and was originally used at court for roundtable festivals. Edward I enjoyed Arthurian legends and the chivalric ideals they epitomised, and Martin Biddle argues that the table was created to celebrateContinue reading “Close Analysis: King Arthur’s round table at Winchester Castle”
The ‘supreme’ Tudor monarch and material culture
All Tudor monarchs used material culture to enhance their status as the ‘supreme monarch,’ by constructing themselves as the supreme authority in several different aspects of life. Henry VII first used material culture to communicate the legitimacy of the Tudor claim, and during the Break with Rome, and subsequent religious changes, material culture was usedContinue reading “The ‘supreme’ Tudor monarch and material culture”
Close Analysis: The Chequers Ring
This ring is one of the last surviving pieces of Elizabeth I’s jewellery collection, and dates back to the mid 1570s. It has a mother-of-pearl hoop, which is rare and expensive. The ring is also encrusted with cut rubies. White diamonds on the bezel form ‘E’ for Elizabeth, and ‘R’ for Regina can also beContinue reading “Close Analysis: The Chequers Ring”
Was there political instability in Elizabeth I’s government?
Elizabeth encountered several problems throughout her long reign which included faction, developing from Cecil and Essex, war and the issue of succession. But did these issues cause significant political instability? The development of faction with Elizabeth’s government only led to moderate political instability within England. John Guy notes that Essex and Cecil ‘rivalled’ each otherContinue reading “Was there political instability in Elizabeth I’s government?”
Magna Carta and Religious Change in the Tudor Era
Magna Carta was drawn up in 1215 with the intention of limiting the power of the crown and has since been used to defend individual liberties.[1] It was used frequently with the intention of affecting religious change during the Tudor period. Magna Carta was primarily used to aid the learning of young lawyers at theContinue reading “Magna Carta and Religious Change in the Tudor Era”
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