‘The crisis faced by the Tudors was mainly caused by economic factors’. Assess the validity
of this view.
Grade and Mark: A* 22/25
Tips to get full marks
overall, there were good arguments made and you used good evidence to
support your claims. In order for this essay be even better, you must be confident
to assert your claim properly. In the essay I think your argument could be refined
if you said that it was a combination of political and religious changes which led to
an overall sense of a crisis. Be confident to assert your point because examiners
like this.
The crisis faced by the Tudors in the years 1540 to 1563 was not wholly caused by
economic factors but religious and political factors. In particular, disputes over religion
largely contributed to the crisis faced by the Tudors. Political factors such as the lack of
clarity of the succession in the reign of the monarchs further played a role in fuelling the
crisis faced by the Tudors. Some historians may argue that economic factors such as the
debasement of the coinage and high inflation was the main reason for this crisis. However
economic factors had a relatively smaller impact on the people than religious factors did.
Overall, religious factors and the changes to religion caused the crisis faced by the Tudors
more than economic factors did.
Firstly, the continuous changes to religion from 1540 to 1563 contributed to the crisis faced
by the Tudors more than economic factors. Whilst the economy had a detrimental impact on
specific groups in Tudor society, the peasants in particular, the effects of the reformation had
an impact on almost everyone in society. the western rebellion in 1549 under the duke of
somerset for example, was triggered by mainly the dissolution of the monasteries and the
religious change imposed by the duke of somerset in the form of religious reforms with the
abolishment of the chantries and the 1549 act of uniformity. Religion was an intrinsic
element of Tudor England whereas economic issues were temporary and did not affect
everyone in society. under Mary’s reign, disputes over religion further contributed to the
crisis faced by the Tudors. It was Mary’s devout catholic nature which resulted in the duke of
Northumberland trying to plot and overthrow her in a political coup. The succession crisis
faced b the due of Northumberland after Edwards death was triggered by Catholicism. This
justifies how the crisis faced by the Tudors in the form of rebellions and political uncertainty
was fuelled by disputes over religion.
Furthermore, though political factors do not outweigh religious issues over their importance
in causing the crisis faced from 1540 to 1563. They do however, hold more importance than
economic factors when assessing what caused the crisis. The political uncertainty caused by
the lack of clarity over the succession was faced by most Tudors. For example, due to
Edwards young age at henry viii death in 1547, there was uncertainty over who should rule
as regent. The political turmoil can further be seen through the changes in leadership from
the duke of somerset in 1547 to the duke of Northumberland in 1549. There were further
disputes over the next successor to the throne at the time of Edwards death with the option
of Mary being disputed at court. The crisis faced by the Tudors was not wholly due to
political causes yet was exacerbated by it. While economic problems could be solved and
were temporary, political decisions at court and issues over the succession remained a big
issue for the Tudors. In particular, the lack of an heir with both Mary and Elizabeth fuelled
the crisis faced by the Tudors more than economic factors. The lack of an heir, would
of this view.
Grade and Mark: A* 22/25
Tips to get full marks
overall, there were good arguments made and you used good evidence to
support your claims. In order for this essay be even better, you must be confident
to assert your claim properly. In the essay I think your argument could be refined
if you said that it was a combination of political and religious changes which led to
an overall sense of a crisis. Be confident to assert your point because examiners
like this.
The crisis faced by the Tudors in the years 1540 to 1563 was not wholly caused by
economic factors but religious and political factors. In particular, disputes over religion
largely contributed to the crisis faced by the Tudors. Political factors such as the lack of
clarity of the succession in the reign of the monarchs further played a role in fuelling the
crisis faced by the Tudors. Some historians may argue that economic factors such as the
debasement of the coinage and high inflation was the main reason for this crisis. However
economic factors had a relatively smaller impact on the people than religious factors did.
Overall, religious factors and the changes to religion caused the crisis faced by the Tudors
more than economic factors did.
Firstly, the continuous changes to religion from 1540 to 1563 contributed to the crisis faced
by the Tudors more than economic factors. Whilst the economy had a detrimental impact on
specific groups in Tudor society, the peasants in particular, the effects of the reformation had
an impact on almost everyone in society. the western rebellion in 1549 under the duke of
somerset for example, was triggered by mainly the dissolution of the monasteries and the
religious change imposed by the duke of somerset in the form of religious reforms with the
abolishment of the chantries and the 1549 act of uniformity. Religion was an intrinsic
element of Tudor England whereas economic issues were temporary and did not affect
everyone in society. under Mary’s reign, disputes over religion further contributed to the
crisis faced by the Tudors. It was Mary’s devout catholic nature which resulted in the duke of
Northumberland trying to plot and overthrow her in a political coup. The succession crisis
faced b the due of Northumberland after Edwards death was triggered by Catholicism. This
justifies how the crisis faced by the Tudors in the form of rebellions and political uncertainty
was fuelled by disputes over religion.
Furthermore, though political factors do not outweigh religious issues over their importance
in causing the crisis faced from 1540 to 1563. They do however, hold more importance than
economic factors when assessing what caused the crisis. The political uncertainty caused by
the lack of clarity over the succession was faced by most Tudors. For example, due to
Edwards young age at henry viii death in 1547, there was uncertainty over who should rule
as regent. The political turmoil can further be seen through the changes in leadership from
the duke of somerset in 1547 to the duke of Northumberland in 1549. There were further
disputes over the next successor to the throne at the time of Edwards death with the option
of Mary being disputed at court. The crisis faced by the Tudors was not wholly due to
political causes yet was exacerbated by it. While economic problems could be solved and
were temporary, political decisions at court and issues over the succession remained a big
issue for the Tudors. In particular, the lack of an heir with both Mary and Elizabeth fuelled
the crisis faced by the Tudors more than economic factors. The lack of an heir, would
