A LEVEL HISTORY A: Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER 1: The Catholic Reformation 1492–
1610. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y308/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 The Catholic Reformation 1492–1610 Paper (OCR Y308/01)
combines the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a clear and
comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of the political,
religious, and cultural developments of the Catholic Reformation, including key events, figures, and
historical interpretations. Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources,
construct coherent arguments, and evaluate differing perspectives on the effectiveness and impact
of the Reformation. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, the resource offers
guidance on examiner expectations, analytical depth, and the structured responses needed for
higher-band marks. This integrated format supports targeted revision, strengthens source evaluation
and essay-writing skills, and equips students for success in the May/June 2026 OCR A Level
History A The Catholic Reformation 1492–1610 examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
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 nature and extent of Philip
II’s support for the Spanish Inquisition. [30]
Passage A
The most pressing of Philip’s problems with the Church on his return to Spain in 1559 was to regain
control over the Inquisition and to direct it for his own purposes. He signalled his support of the
Inquisition by following up his attendance at the auto-da-fe* in Valladolid in 1559 by being present
at autos in Toledo (1560) and in Barcelona (1563). He also allowed the Inquisition to exercise some
new powers. In 1559, for instance, he ordered that all Spanish students at Louvain University in the
Low Countries were to return home and submit themselves to vetting by the Inquisition. He forbade
Spaniards to study at foreign universities. More drastically still, he allowed Fernando de Valdes
(Inquisitor-General) to issue the Index of August 1559.
However, once Philip had succeeded in removing Valdes in 1565 (on grounds of old age and ill
health) he deliberately changed the nature of the Inquisition by appointing Diego de Espinosa as
the first of a succession of Inquisitors-General of whose loyalty he could be absolutely certain. From
that point, the king was in charge of the Inquisition - and of all his churchmen. Under Espinosa,
the Spanish Inquisition once again became a department of state. Under Philip and his son the
Inquisition became the policeman of the nation’s morals rather than the persecutor of Jews and their
sympathisers (which had been its original justification).
*Auto-da-fe: A formal condemnation of heretics, often followed by executions.
Patrick Williams, Philip II, published in 2001.
Passage B
© Geoffrey Parker, Imprudent King, pps 291-292, Yale University Press, 2014. From first line "If his other instruments of control proved inadequate or inappropriate," to last line "he insisted on having the last word in all other judicial matters." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR 2025 Y308/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘The Catholic Reformation was a reaction to humanism and Protestantism.’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1492 to 1610? [25]
3* ‘The most significant institutional reforms during the Catholic Reformation were those established
at the Lateran Council (1512 –17).’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1492 to 1610? [25]
4* ‘The attitudes of the laity were the greatest obstacle to the reform of the Catholic Church.’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1492 to 1610? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y308/01 Jun25
1610. All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR Y308/01]
Exam Resource Summary
The A Level History A May 2025 The Catholic Reformation 1492–1610 Paper (OCR Y308/01)
combines the full official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to create a clear and
comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of the political,
religious, and cultural developments of the Catholic Reformation, including key events, figures, and
historical interpretations. Candidates are required to analyse primary and secondary sources,
construct coherent arguments, and evaluate differing perspectives on the effectiveness and impact
of the Reformation. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria, the resource offers
guidance on examiner expectations, analytical depth, and the structured responses needed for
higher-band marks. This integrated format supports targeted revision, strengthens source evaluation
and essay-writing skills, and equips students for success in the May/June 2026 OCR A Level
History A The Catholic Reformation 1492–1610 examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
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 nature and extent of Philip
II’s support for the Spanish Inquisition. [30]
Passage A
The most pressing of Philip’s problems with the Church on his return to Spain in 1559 was to regain
control over the Inquisition and to direct it for his own purposes. He signalled his support of the
Inquisition by following up his attendance at the auto-da-fe* in Valladolid in 1559 by being present
at autos in Toledo (1560) and in Barcelona (1563). He also allowed the Inquisition to exercise some
new powers. In 1559, for instance, he ordered that all Spanish students at Louvain University in the
Low Countries were to return home and submit themselves to vetting by the Inquisition. He forbade
Spaniards to study at foreign universities. More drastically still, he allowed Fernando de Valdes
(Inquisitor-General) to issue the Index of August 1559.
However, once Philip had succeeded in removing Valdes in 1565 (on grounds of old age and ill
health) he deliberately changed the nature of the Inquisition by appointing Diego de Espinosa as
the first of a succession of Inquisitors-General of whose loyalty he could be absolutely certain. From
that point, the king was in charge of the Inquisition - and of all his churchmen. Under Espinosa,
the Spanish Inquisition once again became a department of state. Under Philip and his son the
Inquisition became the policeman of the nation’s morals rather than the persecutor of Jews and their
sympathisers (which had been its original justification).
*Auto-da-fe: A formal condemnation of heretics, often followed by executions.
Patrick Williams, Philip II, published in 2001.
Passage B
© Geoffrey Parker, Imprudent King, pps 291-292, Yale University Press, 2014. From first line "If his other instruments of control proved inadequate or inappropriate," to last line "he insisted on having the last word in all other judicial matters." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR 2025 Y308/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘The Catholic Reformation was a reaction to humanism and Protestantism.’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1492 to 1610? [25]
3* ‘The most significant institutional reforms during the Catholic Reformation were those established
at the Lateran Council (1512 –17).’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1492 to 1610? [25]
4* ‘The attitudes of the laity were the greatest obstacle to the reform of the Catholic Church.’
How far do you agree with this view of the period from 1492 to 1610? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y308/01 Jun25
