‘Tudor monarchs experienced more failures than successes in dealing with religion in England in the years 1547 to 1587.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Students may refer to some of the following material in support of the claim that religious
Policies were successful:
• after 1549 there were no rebellions against the religious changes introduced during
Edward VI’s reign
• Religious changes in Mary’s reign enjoyed popular support in most parts of the country
• Over the course of thirty years there was a gradual acceptance of the religious changes introduced by the Elizabethan Settlement
• ‘Puritan’ opposition to the Elizabethan Settlement had become weak by 1588.
Nevertheless, there are a number of other factors to consider: …show more content…
Furthermore, students may legitimately point out that the powers of enforcement of religious Policy were variable, as they were dependent on the support of local officials who might not always have been completely supportive of the policies themselves.
Historiographical approaches are not required to answer this question effectively. However, the effective deployment of perspectives derived from historians such as Duffy, Haigh, Collinson and Lake are likely to show skills of a high order.
In conclusion, students may conclude that governments enjoyed mixed fortunes in their attempts to promote religious