2025 OCR A Level History A
Y313/01 The Ascendancy of France 1610–1715
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 23 May 2025 – Morning
A Level History A
Y313/01 The Ascendancy of France 1610–1715
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer the question in Section A and any two questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [T/506/4300] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (IP) 355284/1 Turn over
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of the extent to which Richelieu
strengthened royal authority. [30]
Passage A
© D Murphy, M Tillbrook, P Walsh-Atkins, Europe, 1450-1661, p333-335, Harper Collins, 2000. From first line "There is a strong case for arguing that Richelieu did considerable damage to France." to last line "But he failed to gain the financial self-sufficiency that would have been a vital part of such an attem
Passage B
© Stephen J. Lee, Aspects of European History 1494-1789, p153-7 and 161, Routledge, 1990. From first line "Richelieu once stated that his first concern was the prestige and power of the king." to last line "but it was an important phase in the development of the financial system, characteristic of the anc
© OCR 2025 Y313/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Royal authority in France in the period from 1610 to 1715 depended mainly on the personality of the
king.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* Throughout the period from 1610 to 1715, religious developments had little impact on French
society.
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘Fighting wars hindered rather than helped France in its rise to power in the period from
1610 to 1715.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y313/01 Jun25
Y313/01 The Ascendancy of France 1610–1715
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 23 May 2025 – Morning
A Level History A
Y313/01 The Ascendancy of France 1610–1715
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer the question in Section A and any two questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [T/506/4300] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (IP) 355284/1 Turn over
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of the extent to which Richelieu
strengthened royal authority. [30]
Passage A
© D Murphy, M Tillbrook, P Walsh-Atkins, Europe, 1450-1661, p333-335, Harper Collins, 2000. From first line "There is a strong case for arguing that Richelieu did considerable damage to France." to last line "But he failed to gain the financial self-sufficiency that would have been a vital part of such an attem
Passage B
© Stephen J. Lee, Aspects of European History 1494-1789, p153-7 and 161, Routledge, 1990. From first line "Richelieu once stated that his first concern was the prestige and power of the king." to last line "but it was an important phase in the development of the financial system, characteristic of the anc
© OCR 2025 Y313/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Royal authority in France in the period from 1610 to 1715 depended mainly on the personality of the
king.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* Throughout the period from 1610 to 1715, religious developments had little impact on French
society.
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘Fighting wars hindered rather than helped France in its rise to power in the period from
1610 to 1715.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y313/01 Jun25
