JUNE 2026 -2027 OCR: A LEVEL HISTORY A
Y107/01 ENGLAND 1547–1603: THE LATER
TUDORS – MERGED
1. Which of the following best explains why the 1549 Prayer Book rebellion in the West Country
was more sustained and violent than Kett's Rebellion in Norfolk?
A. The West Country rebels had the backing of foreign Catholic powers, whereas Kett's rebels did not.
B. The West Country rebellion was primarily a protest against religious changes, which united a broad social
spectrum, while Kett's focused on economic grievances that divided landowners and peasants.
C. The Duke of Somerset deployed the majority of his forces to suppress Kett first, allowing the West Country
rebellion to grow unchecked.
D. The West Country rebellion occurred in a region with a stronger tradition of popular protest and weaker local
governance.
Answer: B
Rationale: The West Country rebellion was a unified religious protest against the Protestant Book of
Common Prayer, attracting support across social classes, whereas Kett's Rebellion was a class-based
economic protest that alienated the gentry. This social breadth gave the Western rebellion greater
resilience. The other options lack evidence: foreign backing was minimal, Somerset acted against both
but the Western rebellion was larger, and tradition of protest was not uniquely strong.
2. Historians have debated the extent to which Elizabeth I's religious settlement of 1559 was a
deliberate via media. Which of the following pieces of evidence most strongly supports the
argument that the settlement was intentionally a middle way?
A. The retention of the episcopal structure of the church, which satisfied Catholics, while the Book of Common
Prayer was clearly Protestant in doctrine.
B. The Act of Uniformity included a clause allowing the use of traditional vestments, which was a concession to
Catholic sensibilities.
C. Elizabeth's personal religious views were known to be conservative, and she resisted further reform from
radical Protestants.
D. The settlement included both the Act of Supremacy, which asserted royal control, and the Act of Uniformity,
which imposed a moderate Protestant liturgy.
Answer: A
Rationale: Option A shows a deliberate compromise: the episcopal structure preserved Catholic
hierarchy, while the Prayer Book was Protestant, aiming to satisfy both sides. Option B is a minor
detail, not a broad indicator. Option C focuses on Elizabeth's personal views, not the settlement's design.
Option D describes the two acts but does not demonstrate a middle way; they could be purely Protestant.
Thus A best supports the via media interpretation.
Page 1
,3. In the context of Elizabethan foreign policy, which of the following best explains why the English
intervention in the Netherlands (1585–1587) was ultimately counterproductive?
A. The English army was poorly supplied and suffered from disease, leading to high casualties and low morale.
B. The intervention alienated the Dutch Calvinists, who preferred to negotiate with Spain rather than accept
English control.
C. The Treaty of Nonsuch committed England to a costly war without securing tangible gains, and the Earl of
Leicester's military incompetence wasted resources.
D. The intervention provoked Spain into launching the Armada earlier than planned, catching England
unprepared.
Answer: C
Rationale: The Treaty of Nonsuch (1585) bound England to support the Dutch revolt at great expense,
but Leicester's poor leadership (e.g., accepting the governor-generalship against Elizabeth's wishes) and
military failures (e.g., the loss of the Sluys) drained resources without achieving strategic objectives.
Option A is a symptom, not the core cause. Option B is inaccurate; Dutch Calvinists generally welcomed
English help. Option D is plausible but the Armada was planned anyway; the intervention was
counterproductive due to its cost and failure, not solely because it triggered the Armada.
4. Which of the following best characterizes the historiographical shift in interpreting the reign of
Mary I over the past fifty years?
A. From viewing Mary as a bloody tyrant to recognizing her as a capable ruler who modernized the
administration and finance.
B. From emphasizing her religious persecution to focusing on her gender and the constraints faced by a female
monarch.
C. From seeing her reign as a failed restoration to understanding it as a period of genuine Catholic revival with
popular support.
D. From blaming her for the loss of Calais to arguing that the loss was inevitable due to strategic overreach.
Answer: C
Rationale: Recent revisionist historians (e.g., Eamon Duffy, David Loades) have argued that Mary's reign
saw a successful Catholic restoration that enjoyed significant popular backing, challenging the older
view of it as a failed and unpopular regime. Option A is partly true but less central. Option B is a theme
but not the main shift. Option D is a specific issue, not the overarching historiographical change.
5. Analyze the following excerpt from a 1571 parliamentary speech by a Puritan MP: 'The queen's
majesty, being supreme governor, ought to reform the church according to the word of God, and to
remove all remnants of popery.' This statement most directly reflects which of the following
conflicts?
A. The tension between the royal prerogative and parliamentary authority over ecclesiastical matters.
B. The struggle within the Church of England between conformists and those demanding further reformation.
C. The debate over the role of the monarch as head versus governor of the church.
D. The conflict between the Privy Council and Parliament over control of religious policy.
Answer: B
Rationale: The speech calls for removing 'remnants of popery,' a key Puritan demand for further
reformation of the Elizabethan Settlement, which they saw as incomplete. This reflects the internal
conflict within the English church between conformists (who accepted the settlement) and Puritans (who
Page 2
,wanted more reform). Option A is related but secondary; the MP is not challenging royal authority but
urging its use. Option C is a semantic point not central here. Option D is not about Privy Council vs
Parliament but about church reform.
6. Which of the following factors was most significant in the failure of the Northern Rebellion of
1569?
A. The rebellion's lack of clear objectives and leadership disputes between the Earls of Northumberland and
Westmorland.
B. The rapid response of the royal army under the Earl of Sussex, which outmaneuvered the rebel forces.
C. The failure of the rebels to secure support from the Catholic nobility in the south of England.
D. The lack of foreign assistance from Spain or France, despite promises.
Answer: A
Rationale: The rebellion suffered from indecision and divided leadership: Northumberland hesitated, and
the earls disagreed on aims (e.g., whether to depose Elizabeth or just demand changes). This internal
disunity prevented effective action. Option B is a consequence of A, not the root cause. Option C is true
but not decisive; the rebellion was always northern. Option D is also true, but without clear leadership,
even foreign aid might not have helped.
7. In the context of Elizabethan social policy, the 1572 Vagabonds Act introduced harsher
punishments for vagrants, including branding for repeat offenders. Which of the following best
explains the primary motivation behind this legislation?
A. A moral panic about crime rates in London, driven by pamphleteers and preachers.
B. The desire to control labor mobility and ensure a stable workforce after the disruptions of the mid-century
epidemics.
C. The influence of Protestant theology, which viewed idleness as a sin that undermined social order.
D. The need to reduce the financial burden on parishes, which were responsible for poor relief under the 1563
Act.
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1572 Act reflected concerns about labor supply and social stability following population
growth and economic dislocation. By punishing vagrancy, the state aimed to force the poor into fixed
employment, ensuring a stable labor force for landowners and reducing social unrest. Option A is a
contributing factor but not primary. Option C is ideological but secondary to economic motives. Option
D is relevant but the 1572 Act predates the major poor law reforms; the financial burden was a later
concern.
8. Which of the following best explains why the Elizabethan government was generally tolerant of
the 'Separatist' movement (e.g., the Brownists) until the 1590s?
A. The Separatists were numerically small and posed no immediate threat to the established church.
B. Elizabeth personally sympathized with some of their criticisms of the church hierarchy.
C. The government's main focus was on the Catholic threat, and it wished to avoid alienating Protestant
dissenters.
D. The Separatists had powerful patrons at court, including members of the Privy Council.
Answer: C
Page 3
, Rationale: Elizabeth's regime prioritized the Catholic threat (e.g., plots, the Armada) and sought to maintain Protestant
unity. Therefore, it tolerated moderate Puritanism and even Separatists as long as they did not openly challenge the
settlement. Option A is true but not the best explanation; the government could have suppressed them easily. Option B is
false; Elizabeth disliked radicalism. Option D is false; Separatists lacked high-level patronage.
9. A contemporary Spanish ambassador reported in 1562 that 'the queen of England is more
feared by her own subjects than by her enemies.' This observation most directly reflects which
aspect of Elizabethan governance?
A. The effectiveness of the Elizabethan spy network under Sir Francis Walsingham in monitoring domestic
dissent.
B. The queen's use of propaganda and public appearances to project an image of strength and authority.
C. The harsh enforcement of the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity, which suppressed religious nonconformity.
D. The centralization of power in the monarchy at the expense of the traditional nobility.
Answer: B
Rationale: The quote highlights Elizabeth's ability to command obedience through image and
performance (e.g., the 'Golden Speech', progresses, portraits), which created a aura of authority that
discouraged rebellion. Option A is plausible but Walsingham's network was more focused on foreign
threats. Option C is too narrow; enforcement was uneven. Option D is a long-term trend, not directly
reflected in the quote.
10. Which of the following economic changes had the greatest impact on the structure of English
rural society between 1547 and 1603?
A. The expansion of the cloth trade, which increased demand for wool and led to widespread enclosure of arable
land.
B. The influx of silver from the New World, which caused sustained inflation and eroded the real incomes of
wage laborers.
C. The dissolution of the monasteries, which transferred vast amounts of land to the gentry and aristocracy.
D. The growth of London as a commercial center, which drew population away from the countryside and altered
land use patterns.
Answer: C
Rationale: The dissolution of the monasteries (1536-1540) redistributed about a quarter of English land,
creating a new class of gentry landowners and altering the social hierarchy. This had lasting effects on
rural society, including changes in land tenure and local power structures. Option A is significant but
enclosure was not as widespread as once thought. Option B affected all sectors but did not restructure
society. Option D is important but its impact was more gradual and urban-focused.
11. In the context of Elizabeth I's religious settlement of 1559, which of the following best explains
why the Queen insisted on retaining the title 'Supreme Governor' rather than 'Supreme Head' of
the Church of England?
A. To appease Catholic powers who would have found 'Supreme Head' blasphemous, as it implied a spiritual
authority reserved for the Pope.
B. To signal that her authority over the church was political and administrative, not spiritual, thereby avoiding
the charge of usurping Christ's authority.
Page 4
Y107/01 ENGLAND 1547–1603: THE LATER
TUDORS – MERGED
1. Which of the following best explains why the 1549 Prayer Book rebellion in the West Country
was more sustained and violent than Kett's Rebellion in Norfolk?
A. The West Country rebels had the backing of foreign Catholic powers, whereas Kett's rebels did not.
B. The West Country rebellion was primarily a protest against religious changes, which united a broad social
spectrum, while Kett's focused on economic grievances that divided landowners and peasants.
C. The Duke of Somerset deployed the majority of his forces to suppress Kett first, allowing the West Country
rebellion to grow unchecked.
D. The West Country rebellion occurred in a region with a stronger tradition of popular protest and weaker local
governance.
Answer: B
Rationale: The West Country rebellion was a unified religious protest against the Protestant Book of
Common Prayer, attracting support across social classes, whereas Kett's Rebellion was a class-based
economic protest that alienated the gentry. This social breadth gave the Western rebellion greater
resilience. The other options lack evidence: foreign backing was minimal, Somerset acted against both
but the Western rebellion was larger, and tradition of protest was not uniquely strong.
2. Historians have debated the extent to which Elizabeth I's religious settlement of 1559 was a
deliberate via media. Which of the following pieces of evidence most strongly supports the
argument that the settlement was intentionally a middle way?
A. The retention of the episcopal structure of the church, which satisfied Catholics, while the Book of Common
Prayer was clearly Protestant in doctrine.
B. The Act of Uniformity included a clause allowing the use of traditional vestments, which was a concession to
Catholic sensibilities.
C. Elizabeth's personal religious views were known to be conservative, and she resisted further reform from
radical Protestants.
D. The settlement included both the Act of Supremacy, which asserted royal control, and the Act of Uniformity,
which imposed a moderate Protestant liturgy.
Answer: A
Rationale: Option A shows a deliberate compromise: the episcopal structure preserved Catholic
hierarchy, while the Prayer Book was Protestant, aiming to satisfy both sides. Option B is a minor
detail, not a broad indicator. Option C focuses on Elizabeth's personal views, not the settlement's design.
Option D describes the two acts but does not demonstrate a middle way; they could be purely Protestant.
Thus A best supports the via media interpretation.
Page 1
,3. In the context of Elizabethan foreign policy, which of the following best explains why the English
intervention in the Netherlands (1585–1587) was ultimately counterproductive?
A. The English army was poorly supplied and suffered from disease, leading to high casualties and low morale.
B. The intervention alienated the Dutch Calvinists, who preferred to negotiate with Spain rather than accept
English control.
C. The Treaty of Nonsuch committed England to a costly war without securing tangible gains, and the Earl of
Leicester's military incompetence wasted resources.
D. The intervention provoked Spain into launching the Armada earlier than planned, catching England
unprepared.
Answer: C
Rationale: The Treaty of Nonsuch (1585) bound England to support the Dutch revolt at great expense,
but Leicester's poor leadership (e.g., accepting the governor-generalship against Elizabeth's wishes) and
military failures (e.g., the loss of the Sluys) drained resources without achieving strategic objectives.
Option A is a symptom, not the core cause. Option B is inaccurate; Dutch Calvinists generally welcomed
English help. Option D is plausible but the Armada was planned anyway; the intervention was
counterproductive due to its cost and failure, not solely because it triggered the Armada.
4. Which of the following best characterizes the historiographical shift in interpreting the reign of
Mary I over the past fifty years?
A. From viewing Mary as a bloody tyrant to recognizing her as a capable ruler who modernized the
administration and finance.
B. From emphasizing her religious persecution to focusing on her gender and the constraints faced by a female
monarch.
C. From seeing her reign as a failed restoration to understanding it as a period of genuine Catholic revival with
popular support.
D. From blaming her for the loss of Calais to arguing that the loss was inevitable due to strategic overreach.
Answer: C
Rationale: Recent revisionist historians (e.g., Eamon Duffy, David Loades) have argued that Mary's reign
saw a successful Catholic restoration that enjoyed significant popular backing, challenging the older
view of it as a failed and unpopular regime. Option A is partly true but less central. Option B is a theme
but not the main shift. Option D is a specific issue, not the overarching historiographical change.
5. Analyze the following excerpt from a 1571 parliamentary speech by a Puritan MP: 'The queen's
majesty, being supreme governor, ought to reform the church according to the word of God, and to
remove all remnants of popery.' This statement most directly reflects which of the following
conflicts?
A. The tension between the royal prerogative and parliamentary authority over ecclesiastical matters.
B. The struggle within the Church of England between conformists and those demanding further reformation.
C. The debate over the role of the monarch as head versus governor of the church.
D. The conflict between the Privy Council and Parliament over control of religious policy.
Answer: B
Rationale: The speech calls for removing 'remnants of popery,' a key Puritan demand for further
reformation of the Elizabethan Settlement, which they saw as incomplete. This reflects the internal
conflict within the English church between conformists (who accepted the settlement) and Puritans (who
Page 2
,wanted more reform). Option A is related but secondary; the MP is not challenging royal authority but
urging its use. Option C is a semantic point not central here. Option D is not about Privy Council vs
Parliament but about church reform.
6. Which of the following factors was most significant in the failure of the Northern Rebellion of
1569?
A. The rebellion's lack of clear objectives and leadership disputes between the Earls of Northumberland and
Westmorland.
B. The rapid response of the royal army under the Earl of Sussex, which outmaneuvered the rebel forces.
C. The failure of the rebels to secure support from the Catholic nobility in the south of England.
D. The lack of foreign assistance from Spain or France, despite promises.
Answer: A
Rationale: The rebellion suffered from indecision and divided leadership: Northumberland hesitated, and
the earls disagreed on aims (e.g., whether to depose Elizabeth or just demand changes). This internal
disunity prevented effective action. Option B is a consequence of A, not the root cause. Option C is true
but not decisive; the rebellion was always northern. Option D is also true, but without clear leadership,
even foreign aid might not have helped.
7. In the context of Elizabethan social policy, the 1572 Vagabonds Act introduced harsher
punishments for vagrants, including branding for repeat offenders. Which of the following best
explains the primary motivation behind this legislation?
A. A moral panic about crime rates in London, driven by pamphleteers and preachers.
B. The desire to control labor mobility and ensure a stable workforce after the disruptions of the mid-century
epidemics.
C. The influence of Protestant theology, which viewed idleness as a sin that undermined social order.
D. The need to reduce the financial burden on parishes, which were responsible for poor relief under the 1563
Act.
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1572 Act reflected concerns about labor supply and social stability following population
growth and economic dislocation. By punishing vagrancy, the state aimed to force the poor into fixed
employment, ensuring a stable labor force for landowners and reducing social unrest. Option A is a
contributing factor but not primary. Option C is ideological but secondary to economic motives. Option
D is relevant but the 1572 Act predates the major poor law reforms; the financial burden was a later
concern.
8. Which of the following best explains why the Elizabethan government was generally tolerant of
the 'Separatist' movement (e.g., the Brownists) until the 1590s?
A. The Separatists were numerically small and posed no immediate threat to the established church.
B. Elizabeth personally sympathized with some of their criticisms of the church hierarchy.
C. The government's main focus was on the Catholic threat, and it wished to avoid alienating Protestant
dissenters.
D. The Separatists had powerful patrons at court, including members of the Privy Council.
Answer: C
Page 3
, Rationale: Elizabeth's regime prioritized the Catholic threat (e.g., plots, the Armada) and sought to maintain Protestant
unity. Therefore, it tolerated moderate Puritanism and even Separatists as long as they did not openly challenge the
settlement. Option A is true but not the best explanation; the government could have suppressed them easily. Option B is
false; Elizabeth disliked radicalism. Option D is false; Separatists lacked high-level patronage.
9. A contemporary Spanish ambassador reported in 1562 that 'the queen of England is more
feared by her own subjects than by her enemies.' This observation most directly reflects which
aspect of Elizabethan governance?
A. The effectiveness of the Elizabethan spy network under Sir Francis Walsingham in monitoring domestic
dissent.
B. The queen's use of propaganda and public appearances to project an image of strength and authority.
C. The harsh enforcement of the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity, which suppressed religious nonconformity.
D. The centralization of power in the monarchy at the expense of the traditional nobility.
Answer: B
Rationale: The quote highlights Elizabeth's ability to command obedience through image and
performance (e.g., the 'Golden Speech', progresses, portraits), which created a aura of authority that
discouraged rebellion. Option A is plausible but Walsingham's network was more focused on foreign
threats. Option C is too narrow; enforcement was uneven. Option D is a long-term trend, not directly
reflected in the quote.
10. Which of the following economic changes had the greatest impact on the structure of English
rural society between 1547 and 1603?
A. The expansion of the cloth trade, which increased demand for wool and led to widespread enclosure of arable
land.
B. The influx of silver from the New World, which caused sustained inflation and eroded the real incomes of
wage laborers.
C. The dissolution of the monasteries, which transferred vast amounts of land to the gentry and aristocracy.
D. The growth of London as a commercial center, which drew population away from the countryside and altered
land use patterns.
Answer: C
Rationale: The dissolution of the monasteries (1536-1540) redistributed about a quarter of English land,
creating a new class of gentry landowners and altering the social hierarchy. This had lasting effects on
rural society, including changes in land tenure and local power structures. Option A is significant but
enclosure was not as widespread as once thought. Option B affected all sectors but did not restructure
society. Option D is important but its impact was more gradual and urban-focused.
11. In the context of Elizabeth I's religious settlement of 1559, which of the following best explains
why the Queen insisted on retaining the title 'Supreme Governor' rather than 'Supreme Head' of
the Church of England?
A. To appease Catholic powers who would have found 'Supreme Head' blasphemous, as it implied a spiritual
authority reserved for the Pope.
B. To signal that her authority over the church was political and administrative, not spiritual, thereby avoiding
the charge of usurping Christ's authority.
Page 4
