The Renaissance: The Tudor Dynasty

Pag. B4 – B5
Guided study

1. Why did all the Tudor monarchs need to give the impression of legitimacy?
A. Because this dinasty only lasted three generations.

2. Discuss Henry VIII’s achievements to justify that he was a “monarch who rules, not merely
reigns”.
A. He increased England’s military strength by getting ships built, sponsered the voyage of
John Cabot which led to the descivery of the North American mainland and made
advantageous trade deals.

The Reformation
Pag. B6 – B7
1. Explain the causes of the Reformation.
A. Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon who was too old to give birth to
the male heir the king really wanted.

2. How did Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I change the Church in England?
A. Henry VIII caused England to break with Rome creating the Church of England which
became Protestant under his son’s Edward VI’s reign. Elizabeth I tried to make it
compatible to both catholics and protestants.

3. Can you explain why Protestantism is linked to increased literacy?

A. Because the reading of the Bible was the most important practice in Protestantism, this led
to the opening of many grammar schools.

4. How did the power of Parliament grow because of the Reformation?

A. Because they acquired all the power the roman Church had on England.

The beginning of the Stuart dynasty

Pag. B10
Guided study

1. The key ideas of the text are highlighted. Use a wavy line to show the secondary ideas
linked to the primary ones.
- “He believed that, as a monarch, he was the representative of God on earth”:
- “he worked with small councils of ministers, rather than with Parliament”;
- “He summoned Parliament only to ask for money”.
- “Religion was still a critical issue”:
- “Catholics were barred from public life”:
- “Puritans disapproved of both the rites and hierarchy of the Church of England”;
- “They wanted the Church to be governed by lay elders not bishops”;
- “James… began to attack them”;
- “the Pilgrim Fathers… left England for America”;
- “King James authorised a new translation of the Bible… this version would be heard
and read by laymen”.
2. What was the reaction to the Stuart dynasty – happiness or disappointment? Explain your
answer.
A. Happiness because it reduced the danger of a civil war.

3. Find two reasons why Puritans would particularly dislike King James I.
A. Because corruption was rampant under his leadership and they were attacked by him
about their ideas.

4. Who were the Puritans? Where did they go and why?

A. They were extreme Protestants, not fit for the English society and therefore they moved to
America.