Though certainly a contributing factor to most of the Tudor rebellions, political grievances were not the most significant factor in explaining the outbreak of Tudor rebellion. In the case of Wyatt’s rebellion in 1554, political grievances may well have been the most important factor due to the prospects of Mary’s marriage to Philip, England’s fear … Continue reading To what extent were political factors responsible for Tudor rebellions in the period 1529-1569?
Essays
A selection of essays I have written since I started studying history, including A-Level essays, essays submitted during my degree, and essays written as teaching material.
Explain why the scriptures were translated into Welsh
The scriptures were translated into Welsh during the reign of Elizabeth I for several reasons. These include the Queen’s personal beliefs, the influence of Protestantism and the Lutheran Reformation, and the importance of the divide in language barriers. Possibly the main reason is that Elizabeth was introducing Protestant change after the reign of Mary. William … Continue reading Explain why the scriptures were translated into Welsh
Explain why the rebellion known as Kett’s rebellion broke out
The rebellion known as Kett’s rebellion broke out predominantly for economic and religious reasons. However, there are several political reasons for the outbreak. The most significant reason was economic struggles at the time. While religion became increasingly important to the rebels, it was economic issues which first sparked the rebellion. There were rumours that … Continue reading Explain why the rebellion known as Kett’s rebellion broke out
Explain why the Pilgrimage of Grace failed
The Pilgrimage of Grace was a rebellion whereby several different areas of the country were covered by different rebel groups, so it is difficult to establish one single reason why all of the risings failed. It failed for a combination of reasons: the actions of the king such as success in battle, those … Continue reading Explain why the Pilgrimage of Grace failed
Using the North Berwick witch trials of the 1590s as a case study, do you agree with the proposition that witch hunting was rarely an uncontrollable or hysterical phenomenon?
Introduction ‘Our Scottish witch is a far more frightful being than her coadjutor on the south side of the Tweed’.[1] It is possible that the nature of the act of witch hunting, stems not from the reactive nature of human behaviour, but instead is a reflection of the witch herself. If witch hunting is to … Continue reading Using the North Berwick witch trials of the 1590s as a case study, do you agree with the proposition that witch hunting was rarely an uncontrollable or hysterical phenomenon?
Why was the monarchy threatened by the Pilgrimage of Grace?
The Pilgrimage of Grace was a rebellion, and any rebellion would have been regarded as a threat to the governing body. However, the Pilgrimage of Grace threatened the monarchy for several political, social and economic reasons (though mostly political). The rebellion lasted for some months and had managed to sweep aside the forced that the … Continue reading Why was the monarchy threatened by the Pilgrimage of Grace?
Why the monasteries were dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII
The monasteries were dissolved in 1536, during the reign of Henry VIII, solely for financial reasons, however, it could be argued that there are many religious and personal reasons behind why it happened. Many historians argue that is it wasn't for Henry's financial problems circa 1536 he would never have considered it. Henry was facing … Continue reading Why the monasteries were dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII
What role did Enlightenment ideas play in the cultural origins of the French Revolution?
Akin to Daniel Mornet’s underlying thesis that ‘it was, in part, ideas that determined the French Revolution’, this study will highlight the importance of Enlightenment in Revolution.[1] There are undoubtedly greater political and economic causes, including resentment of an increasingly objectionable monarchy and the financial strains of substantial expenditure on wars including the American War … Continue reading What role did Enlightenment ideas play in the cultural origins of the French Revolution?
How has the historiography of the Enlightenment changed since the 1960s?
Discussions of the Enlightenment have been in place since as early as the eighteenth century.[1] ‘Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-incurred immaturity’, Immanuel Kant stated in his 1784 essay, ‘An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment?’[2] In this, Kant cleverly defines the Enlightenment as an event or a process which brings humanity out … Continue reading How has the historiography of the Enlightenment changed since the 1960s?
Master-Slave Relations in the Antebellum South
How far do you agree with the view that master-slave relations in the antebellum South are most accurately described as paternal? There exists much study surrounding the issue of master-slave relationships in the antebellum South; that is, debate regarding whether slaveholders lived up to their arguably propagandist paternal reputation or whether their relations with their … Continue reading Master-Slave Relations in the Antebellum South
The Historian's Apprentice 