Religious Conflict and the Church in England: c.1529–c.1570
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
Friday 7 June 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/2D.
Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
IB/M/Jun24/G4006/E4
,A-Level History: Component 2D - Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
Exam Summary
This component focuses on the religious and political struggles in England from the 1529 Reformation to the
late 1560s, exploring the transformations within the Church of England and the religious conflicts during the
reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I. Key themes include:
The Reformation and the Break from Rome (1529–1536): The key event of Henry VIII’s break
from the Roman Catholic Church, triggered by his desire for an annulment of his marriage to
Catherine of Aragon. The role of key figures like Thomas Cromwell in establishing the English
Church’s independence, including the Act of Supremacy (1534) that declared Henry the Supreme
Head of the Church of England.
Religious Reforms under Henry VIII (1536–1547): The impact of the English Reformation on
religious practices and institutions in England, including the dissolution of the monasteries (1536–
1541) and the reshaping of the English Church. The shift from Catholicism to a more Protestant
orientation under Henry, although his personal religious beliefs remained complex and conservative.
Edward VI and the Protestant Reformation (1547–1553): The reign of Edward VI and the more
radical Protestant reforms enacted under the guidance of reformers like Archbishop Cranmer. Key
changes included the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer (1549) and the Forty-Two Articles
(1553), which further distanced England from Catholicism and embraced more Protestant doctrines.
Mary I and the Catholic Restoration (1553–1558): The reign of Mary I, who sought to reverse the
Protestant reforms of her predecessors and restore Catholicism to England. The Marian persecutions,
where over 280 Protestants were burned at the stake, marked a violent effort to re-establish papal
authority. The religious tension and division caused by her reign.
The Elizabethan Religious Settlement (1558–1570): The religious policies of Elizabeth I, which
aimed to find a middle ground between Catholicism and Protestantism. The Act of Supremacy (1559)
and the Act of Uniformity (1559) re-established the Church of England’s independence from Rome
and enforced Protestant practices, though with some retention of traditional Catholic rituals. This
period saw rising tensions with Catholic powers, particularly after Elizabeth’s excommunication by
the Pope in 1570.
This exam assesses the causes and consequences of the religious transformations in England during this
period, focusing on the impact of the break with Rome, the Protestant Reformation, and the religious conflicts
that shaped the development of the Church of England and its relations with both Catholics and Protestants.
7042/2D
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Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the Royal Visitation of Yorkshire Monasteries, 1536. This account provided evidence
of wealth and superstition to support the passing of the Act for the Dissolution of the Lesser
Monasteries.
The Priory of Basedale, North Yorkshire.
Order: Cistercian Nuns.
Founded by Sir Ralph Evres.
Superstition: They have a small bottle of the Virgin’s Milk.
Priory is worth £18 a year. 5
Meaux Abbey, North Yorkshire.
Order: Cistercian Monks.
Founded by William le Gros, Earl of Albemarle.
Superstition: They have a vest of St Bernard which is sometimes lent to pregnant women.
Abbey is worth £98 a year. 10
Nunburnholme Priory, East Yorkshire.
Order: Benedictine Nuns.
Founded by Lord Dacre.
Superstition: They have part of the Holy Cross.
Priory is worth £7 a year. 15
North Ferriby Priory, East Yorkshire.
Order: The Knights Templar.
Founded by the Earl of Cumberland.
Superstition: Here St Gratianus is worshipped.
Priory owes £80. 20
The Priory of Haltemprice, East Yorkshire.
Order: Augustinian Monks.
Founded by the Duke of Richmond.
Superstition: Here is a pilgrimage for fever and veneration. They have the arm of
St George and part of the Holy Cross. They have the girdle of St Marie which is helpful for 25
childbirth.
Priory is worth £104 a year.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2D
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Source B
From comments on the Greater Monasteries in the Act for the Dissolution of the
Lesser Monasteries, 1536.
The King’s most Royal Majesty, being Supreme Head on earth under God of the Church
of England, is daily devising ways to increase, advance and glorify its true doctrine and
virtue. This is to the glory and honour of God and to the total destruction of vice and sin.
From the accounts of the visitations, and from other credible information, the King has
true knowledge of the great and solemn monasteries of this realm. In these houses 5
(thanks be to God) religion is right well-kept and observed. Yet they have fewer number
of religious persons than they can accommodate. In consideration, the King’s Highness
may, at his pleasure, ordain and declare that such of these religious houses shall
continue. Such houses shall not be suppressed nor dissolved by the authority of this Act.
The great and solemn religious houses will remain as they were before the making of this 10
Act.
Source C
From a private letter to Sir Ralph Sadler from Henry VIII, 1543. Henry uses his
experience to advise Sadler on procedure for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in
Scotland.
To completely destroy the institution of monks and friars is an enterprise which will need
careful handling. It is first necessary to be seen to be putting the religious houses in
good order. However, Commissioners should be sent out with a secret task. They
should examine monks and nuns to learn about their beliefs and behaviour. If this is
handled well, the Commissioner shall get knowledge of all the abominations committed. 5
Once the Commissioner has that knowledge, he should consult with the nobility, agreeing
with them for the division and distribution of some of the lands between them. They
should allot a good portion of the lands of the abbeys to augment the state of the King
and young Queen, and their heirs and successors, to enable them to maintain their
estate. These abbeys are to the high displeasure of God. They are a great deformity in 10
the commonwealth. It is intolerable that those in them spend all their time in idleness and
filthiness showing both hypocrisy and superstition.
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the
Dissolution of the Monasteries in England.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
IB/M/Jun24/7042/2D Turn over ►
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Section B
Answer two questions.
0 2 ‘In c1529, the role of the Church in government was more important than its social
role.’
Assess the validity of this view.
[25 marks]
0 3 ‘The failure to secure the succession of a protestant monarch in 1553 was due to the
mistakes made by the Duke of Northumberland.’
Assess the validity of this view.
[25 marks]
0 4 How far did Elizabeth I’s religious views influence the development of the
Church of England in the first 10 years of her reign?
[25 marks]
END OF QUESTIONS
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