SECTION.
(Achieved 20/20 in A-Level
Breadth Section using
these essay plans).
In this document I have
included central
government, household
and localities plans.
This is a full coverage document, with every spec point covered to
ensure the best possible preparation for the breadth essay in Paper 3.
I have included wider essay plans such as:
- TWE was the Crown the key to maintaining political stability
in the Tudor period?
- How effective were the Tudors in extending royal authority
in the localities in the years 1485–1603?
… As well as specific, specification-focused essay plans such as:
- How far did the role of the Church change 1485–1603?
,- How far did poverty legislation change 1495–1603?
Localities /
central gov
and church
plans
,How effective were the Tudors in extending royal authority in the
localities in the years 1485–1603?
Criteria: extent of control over localities, ability to enforce policy, long
term stability.
JPs:
The expansion of JPs was highly effective in extending royal
authority into the localities.
- JPs increasingly acted as key agents of central hob in enforcing law
and order.
- By 1603, over 309 Acts of Parliament placed responsibilities on
JPs, including enforcing the Poor Laws, regulating wages (1563
Statute of Artificers), and licensing alehouses (1552 Act).
- This demonstrates that royal authority was extended through JPs
into everyday governance became responsible for implementing
central policies at a local level.
- The scale and presence of JPs expanded significantly over the
period.
- The average county bench grew from around 25 JPs under Wolsey to
40-50 under E, with some counties having up to 90 JPs by 1603.
- This expansion increased the Crown’s administrative reach, allowing
consistent enforcement of royal authority across the country.
- The crown ensured loyalty by appointing trusted individuals to JP
roles.
- HVII appointed figures such as Sir Thomas Lovell as a JP in politically
sensitive regions such as Yorkshire + Sussex.
- This strengthened royal control by ensuring that key local officials
were directly linked to central gov reinforced authority in
potentially unstable areas.
The expansion of JPs was highly effective in embedding royal
authority at a local level, however there was a reliance on local
elites.
Councils:
Regional councils were effective in extending royal authority into
previously difficult and unstable regions.
, - The Council of the North strengthened royal control in a historically
unstable region.
- The Council of the North was re-established in 1537 and given
powers to hear cases of treason and enforce royal proclamations
across northern counties.
- This allowed the Crown to impose direct authority in a region
previously dominated by noble families (Dacres, Cliffords, Percys
and Nevilles) , reducing their independence.
- Leadership of councils ensured loyalty and impartial governance.
- Robert Holgate was appointed pdent of the council of the North
1538 Bishop of Llandaff (Wales) with no vested regional interests.
- This reduced the influence of local rivalries and ensured that
governance reflected royal priorities not noble interests.
- Councils successfully maintained order and reduced unrest.
- 1569 Revolt of Northern Earls. President Earl of Sussex and
Thomas Gargrave both put down rebellion
- This demonstrates that councils were effective in stabilising regions
and enforcing royal authority in the long term.
Therefore, regional councils were an effective mechanism for
extending royal control into unstable regions such as the North
marcher regions.
Wales:
The integration of Wales represents a successful extension of
royal authority.
- The Laws in Wales Acts 1535 abolished marcher lord autonomy and
imposed English governance.
- This Act created 12 English style counties, introducing sheriffs and
JPs and abolishing marcher lordships.
- This replaced fragmented, semi-independent rule with a system
directly controlled by the Crown signif extension of royal
authority.
- Wales became politically integrated into the English state.
- Each Welsh county was granted 2 MPs in English Pment, giving
Wales representation for the first time.
- This strengthened royal authority as it incorporated Wales into the
Eng political structure, increasing oversight and uniformity.
- The reforms led to long-term stability in a previously problematic
area.