"From her arrival in 1568, Mary Stuart posed a major threat to the security of Elizabeth and her government". How far do you agree with this judgement?

"From her arrival in 1568, Mary Stuart posed a major threat to the security of Elizabeth and her government". How far do you agree with this judgement? Mary's Threat Politically Religiously Internationally Self Inflicted Mary's arrival in England triggered the discontent among some Catholic sympathisers to become prevalent, as Mary provided a clear leader to focus their religious dissatisfactions with the moderately Protestant settlement imposed by Elizabeth. This is why religious motivations behind some of the laity were the most dangerous threat from Mary. Political advantages from individuals supporting Mary are contributory factors to threaten Elizabeth, without the laity's religious motivations however they cannot amount to a crucial significance. International implications from Mary's presence were potentially huge but were never anything more than potential. All these factors revolving around Mary that threatened Elizabeth were compounded by the way Elizabeth mismanaged situations. Mary can be seen as the reaction pathway in the threat towards Elizabeth, she does not do much herself to endanger Elizabeth, however she provided the discontented with the motivation to threaten Elizabeth because she was the next Catholic heir. Those who felt discontented about Elizabeth's moderate Protestant settlement now had a clear leader to focus their ambitions of a Catholic

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  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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How far, and why, did traditional Catholicism decline during the reign of Elizabeth?

Alex Jockelson How far, and why, did traditional Catholicism decline during the reign of Elizabeth? Considering that on the accession of Elizabeth I the majority of men and women in England and Wales were Catholic - from the evidence of wills Protestant loyalty was limited to the south-east where even there it represented a minority - and that by the end of the reign English Catholicism had diminished to only one or two percent of the population, it is fair to say that the extent of the decline in traditional Catholicism was great. The reasons for this can be found by splitting the reign into three time periods where the presence and threat of Catholicism differ significantly. An interesting argument has arisen concerning the explanation of the decline of Catholicism. The historian J. Bossy argues that conservative gentry and clerical leadership did not produce any organized resistance to the 1559 settlement and instead allowed the laity to drift into conformity by attending Protestant church services. He goes on to suggest that it was only the later arrival of the seminary priests from Douai and the Jesuits that saved English Catholicism from complete extinction. Another historian C. Haigh counters this suggesting that Catholic survivalism was strong in the 1560s and that its demise can be attributed to 'strategic and logistical errors' made by the seminary priests and the

  • Word count: 1653
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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How, and why, were Puritans portrayed on the Elizabethan and Jacobean Stage?

How, and why, were Puritans portrayed on the Elizabethan and Jacobean Stage? In discussing Puritanism in this period we are immediately faced with the problem of definition. 'Puritan' was initially a term of abuse for the militant Protestants who sought further reform within the church. Initially the reformers were strongly influenced by Calvinist doctrines and they called for increased attention to preaching, the study and interpretation of the Bible and the simplification of elaborate rights. The Puritan movement seemed to be one of degrees rather than of type. Within the movement, itself a branch of the Anglican church, could be found people from various classes, ranging from those with Puritan sympathies to the radical reformers. It is seen as a religious and moral temper rather than a structured movement. The attack on the stage was initiated by some of the more militant Puritans, but the rebuttal of the dramatists seemed to treat all Puritans in the same way. The attack on the playhouses began in Elizabeth's reign with Puritans protesting against the building of theatres, although at this point their objections came to nothing. After this many tracts were produced warning about the evil and ungodly teachings of plays. In his Anatomie of Abuses of 1583 Philip Stubbes strongly condemns stage plays.1 He claims that they 'maintaine bawdrie, insinuate foolery, and

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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How far was the church in need of reform during your chosen period of study?

03/04/2001 How far was the church in need of reform during your chosen period of study? During the 15-th and 16-th Century the Roman Catholic Church throughout Europe dominated most aspects of life and government. The clergy published the majority of books that were read therefore they had a strong influence over the religious beliefs and practices of those from higher social classes. Those who could not read where reached through the pulpit at Mass. The Roman Catholic Church also had considerable wealth due to taxes such as the tithe. Power over monarchs could also be asserted as on many occasions the Church had aided bankrupt monarchs. However, due to the wealth and power it had obtained the Church had forgotten its fundamental role for providing spiritual leadership and the pursuit of eternal salvation. An example of this would be the Medici family who provided many Popes. Instead of bestowing proper leadership upon the clergy and their flocks, they promoted their own family interests. The Historian B. Reardon suggests that the Papacy was the central cause for the Reformation in the 16-th Century, they had failed to show proper spiritual and moral leadership. Allowing the spread of incompetence and corruption throughout the rest of the church. Bishops failed to attend their duties in their diocese and were reluctant to fulfil their duty of monitoring their clergy. The

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  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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ormative Assesment. A critical analysis of Charles V & Philip his Son by Marino Cavalli, 1554.

Student no; 1007604 Formative Assesment. A critical analysis of "Charles V & Philip his Son" by Marino Cavalli, 1554. This is a critical analysis of a written piece by Marino Cavalli as he writes his thoughts about the comparisons between the current King; Charles V, and his son and heir Philip. Cavalli has documented the concerns he has about Philip's inability to adequately rule over 'various peoples' when he comes to power. Cavalli was the Venetian Ambassador in France at the time, and had a vested interest in who succeeded Charles V to the throne. Cavalli begins by making basic observations about the physical similarities between father and son; their appearance, their habits and their demeanour. "His Highness is now in his twenty-fourth year, of very delicate complexion and medium stature. In both face and mind he resembles his father.." This is the first, and last positive evaluation he makes about Philip. It becomes clear very quickly that he harbours numerous doubts about Philip's ability to come to power and manage different countries, when he favours being advised by a solely Spanish council, who would clearly have preference for their own agenda. "He takes excessive pleasure in being revered, and he maintains with everyone, no matter who he may be, a greater haughtiness than his father,". Cavalli obviously worries that Philip does not attempt to earn the

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  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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After the accession of Henry VIII, England began an inevitable change towards Protestantism, which was supported and encouraged by the English People'. How far do you agree with the appraisal of religious change that took place in England 1500-1600?

'After the accession of Henry VIII, England began an inevitable change towards Protestantism, which was supported and encouraged by the English People'. How far do you agree with the appraisal of religious change that took place in England 1500-1600? The rise of Protestantism was not inevitable. There was certainly a strong force for a separation from Rome. As we shall see Henry VIII had a strong personal motivation for the separation. Significant sections of the elite resented the influence of Rome. The seizure of Church assets had a financial benefit for some of the elite and gentry. English nationalism was a feature for the general public. One of the few areas of agreement between writers is that there was general support for the ascendancy of the English monarch over the Roman Pope. However, there was a debate amongst the elite about whether there should be an English form of Catholicism or a comprehensive move towards Protestantism. It is possible to argue that the outcome could have been a Church of England, which was more recognisably Catholic. Given the concentration of power that existed in the hands of the monarch and his or her immediate advisors, their motivation is key to understanding whether the change was inevitable. It is generally agreed that Henry VIII's motives were more personal and political, than religious. He wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon and

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  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Three Estates in France

Anna Ruybal October 19, 2010 Dr. Kirkland HIST 101-003 ESSAY EXAM 1: QUESTION 3 There were three estates that made up the population of France. The First Estate was made up of the Clergy, the Second of Nobility, and the Third of Commoners. Of these estates, it was the Third that constituted the majority of the population. The commoners of the Third Estate included the bourgeoisie (middle class), the peasants (about 80 percent of the total population of France), and the working poor, who were surprisingly quite influential. It is evident in the way that the population was separated that the monarchy had based its society on wealth and education, but the Third estate was not happy with this setup. On the eve of the French Revolution, there were hundreds of grievances among the Third Estate. King Louis XVI was bombarded by a list of these grievances, or Cahier de Doleances. All grievances, no matter how absurd some may have seemed, had to be dealt with if the Monarch wanted to prevent the revolution. While Third Estate consisted mostly of peasants and merchants, it was the bourgeoisie that are credited with getting the grievances of the estate recognized. The bourgeoisie consisted of many wealthy and educated people. Many were lawyers or bankers, and landowners. At this point in history peasants were free, but lived in poverty and had to obey the remaining

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  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Anne Boleyn - historians such as G. W. Bernard, E. W. Ives and Retha Warnick are examples of scholars who continue to attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the fall of Anne Boleyn. Each attempting to answer the following questions: What events brought

Anne Boleyn was executed on May 19th 1536 and her marriage to King Henry VIII was declared as invalid. The charges with which Anne was accused include adultery with five men, incest with her brother George Boleyn, and high treason for allegedly imagining the Kings death and conspiring with her lovers to procure the Kings death. Long after her fall Anne Boleyn continues to fascinate people all over the world. Her life has been adapted into numerous novels, plays, songs, television dramas and films and is also the focus of historical debate. This fascination results from the continuing controversy over her death and the important role she played during a turbulent era in English history. Many feel that Henry's marriage to Anne and her subsequent execution were part of the complex beginning stages of the political and religious upheaval of the English reformation, where Anne herself actively promoted the cause of Church reform. Anne and Henry also gave birth to Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England for forty years and is often considered one of England's greatest rulers. A limited amount of resources and information survives about the fall of Anne Boleyn thus making it a compelling but easily debatable historical event. However, historians such as G. W. Bernard, E. W. Ives and Retha Warnick are examples of scholars who continue to attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the

  • Word count: 1981
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Jasmine's key worker has noticed bruising on Jasmine's legs and bottom. This could have been caused by her mobility difficulties. Despite Jasmine having cerebral palsy her injuries seem to be on the wrong part of the body

Case Study 1: Jasmine Jasmine is three and a half years of age and attends nursery three days a week between the hours of eight thirty and five thirty. Jasmine has cerebral palsy that causes her to walk with difficulty and have problems with her speech. According to Edwards (2002, pg22): "Disabled children also need special consideration when identifying indicators of abuse. They may have personal care needs, medical conditions or equipment aids which should be taken into account when identifying indicators of abuse." Jasmine's key worker has noticed bruising on Jasmine's legs and bottom. This could have been caused by her mobility difficulties. Despite Jasmine having cerebral palsy her injuries seem to be on the wrong part of the body if the incident that caused the bruising was accidental. Shropshire online states: (no date) "Unusual sites for accidental bruising is back of legs and buttocks." Even though Jasmine has cerebral palsy and her injuries are on the wrong part of the body, Barbara, the mum, could have lost her temper and smacked her for being disobedient. Kelly, the key worker, would have to keep an open mind before jumping to conclusions. If Barbara did smack Jasmine then that would not be considered as breaking the law. Edward states (2002, p.10): "It is not illegal in the UK for parents to smack their children because the law allows them to

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  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Assess the view that the Dutch rebels challenged Philip IIs rule primarily in defense of their liberties. Throughout Philips reign there were three major revolts in the Netherlands, in 1568, 1572 and 1576. These represented the interests of various

Assess the view that the Dutch rebels challenged Philip II's rule primarily in defense of their liberties. Throughout Philip's reign there were three major revolts in the Netherlands, in 1568, 1572 and 1576. These represented the interests of various social, economic and ideological groups. There is much debate as to why the rebels revolted; it has been argued that it was in response to religious oppression, whilst a different interpretation suggests the economic crisis drove the rebels to protest. Although there has been much debate amongst historians, it would seem that the primary issue throughout Philip's reign was that of liberty. The people of the Netherlands were oppressed by the Spaniards centralisation of their political, religious, and economic freedoms. However, it must be taken into consideration that the rebellion was not consistent throughout the Netherlands; towns such as Gouda, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Haarlem that had remained loyal during the first revolt were instrumental in the 1572 revolt. Conversely, the towns that were the most unruly during the first revolt remained loyal thereafter. As the uprising varied from region to region, the motive behind each revolt was similarly independent from the other. However throughout Philip's reign 'liberty was [broadly speaking] the central issue1', combining the diversity present in all three revolts. The

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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