Revision Notes: The Tudors and Stuarts

Religion Changes During This Period

• Henry VIII's Break from the Church of Rome: Henry VIII famously broke away from the Catholic Church after disagreements with the Pope over his desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon 🔗.
• The Six Wives of Henry VIII: Henry VIII had six wives with various political and personal motivations for each marriage and divorce, leading to the establishment of the Church of England 🔗.
• Establishment of the Church of England: Henry VIII established the Church of England, with himself as the Supreme Head, initiating a movement toward Protestantism in England 🔗.
• Tudor Religious Policies: The religious conflicts of this period included the switch between Catholicism and Protestantism based on the reigning monarch (e.g., Edward VI promoted Protestantism, while Mary I restored Catholicism) 🔗.
• Elizabeth I's Religious Settlement: Elizabeth I aimed for a middle ground with the Elizabethan Religious Settlement to maintain stability by tolerating both Catholic and Protestant practices 🔗.
• The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots: The reformation established a Protestant Church out of the state's control, and Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed due to suspected political treason 🔗.

Poetry and Drama in the Elizabethan Period

• Renaissance Influence: The Elizabethan period was marked by a flowering of English literature, influenced by the European Renaissance 🔗.
• William Shakespeare: The most prominent figure of this era, Shakespeare’s plays combined drama, history, and poetry, appealing to all social classes 🔗.

Britain's Involvement in Ireland

• Tudor Conquest of Ireland: England intensified its control over Ireland during the Tudor period, establishing English laws and practices in Irish territories 🔗.
• Plantations in Ulster: English and Scottish Protestants were settled in Ireland during this period, contributing to future religious and political conflicts 🔗.

Development of Parliament and England's Republic

• The Rise of Parliament: Parliament gradually gained influence during the Tudor and Stuart periods, especially in matters of taxation and law 🔗.
• The English Civil War (1642-1651): Tensions between King Charles I and Parliament led to the Civil War, ultimately resulting in the execution of Charles I 🔗.
• Oliver Cromwell and the English Republic (Commonwealth, 1649-1660): After the Civil War, England briefly became a republic under Oliver Cromwell, marking the only period in its history without a monarch 🔗.

Restoration of Monarchy

• Failure of the Commonwealth: The republican government failed to gain popular support, and instability led to the restoration of the monarchy 🔗.
• Charles II's Return: In 1660, Charles II was invited back from exile, marking the Restoration of the Monarchy 🔗.
• Re-establishment of Traditional Authority: The monarchy, along with the Church of England, was reinstated as central institutions of power 🔗.

Royal society

• Isaac Newton (born 1642): Promotion of 'natural knowledge' during Charles II's reign. The royal society is oldest surviving scientific society in the world. 🔗.

The Glorious Revolution

• James II's Catholicism: James II's open Catholicism caused conflict with Protestant England, leading to fears of a return to Catholic rule 🔗.
• William of Orange's Invasion: In 1688, William of Orange was invited by Protestant nobles to invade England and take the throne 🔗.
• Establishment of a Constitutional Monarchy: The Glorious Revolution resulted in the overthrow of James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William III and Mary II 🔗.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who established the Church of England?
   a) Mary I
   b) Elizabeth I
   c) Henry VIII
   d) James I

2. What was the name of the period of republican rule in England?
   a) The Protectorate
   b) The Commonwealth
   c) The Interregnum
   d) The Restoration

3. Which playwright is considered the greatest of the Elizabethan era?
   a) Christopher Marlowe
   b) Ben Jonson
   c) William Shakespeare
   d) Thomas Kyd

4. What was the "Glorious Revolution"?
   a) The overthrow of Charles I
   b) The restoration of Charles II
   c) The peaceful takeover by William and Mary
   d) The defeat of the Spanish Armada

5. Who was the Lord Protector during the period when England was a republic?
   a) Charles I
   b) Oliver Cromwell
   c) Richard Cromwell
   d) William of Orange

6. Why did Henry VIII break away from the Catholic Church?
   a) He wanted to marry Anne Boleyn
   b) He wanted to centralize power
   c) He wanted to maintain Catholic traditions
   d) He wanted to avoid war

7. What was a result of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement?
   a) Complete Protestant control
   b) Toleration of both Catholics and Protestants
   c) Civil war
   d) Restoration of Catholic rule

8. Which figure is most associated with Elizabethan drama?
   a) William Shakespeare
   b) Christopher Wren
   c) Oliver Cromwell
   d) Thomas More

9. When did England become a republic?
   a) After the defeat of the Spanish Armada
   b) During the reign of Charles II
   c) During the Commonwealth period
   d) During the Glorious Revolution

10. What caused the Glorious Revolution?
    a) James II’s Catholicism
    b) Cromwell’s dictatorship
    c) William of Orange’s rebellion
    d) Execution of Charles I

Answers:

1. c - Henry VIII
2. b - The Commonwealth
3. c - William Shakespeare
4. c - The peaceful takeover by William and Mary
5. b - Oliver Cromwell
6. a - He wanted to marry Anne Boleyn
7. b - Toleration of both Catholics and Protestants
8. a - William Shakespeare
9. c - During the Commonwealth period
10. a - James II’s Catholicism