Mary I: culture, society, economy and exploration

Question 1

how stable was society when Mary came to the throne?

Answer 1

• genuine support had brought her to the throne despite the Lady Jane Grey Crisis showing people still respected the divine monarchy
• but society was destabilised by the Wyatt rebellion and the Spanish marriage

Question 2

what effects did the burnings have on society?

Answer 2

• ardent protestants went into exile
• made her appear extremely harsh and some deaths attracted public sympathy like that of Cranmer
• but there is little evidence that the burnings had much impact on the general populace and most people switched back to Catholic practices easily

Question 3

what did humanism look like in Mary’s reign?

Answer 3

• there is little evidence of it
• the pope at the time (Paul IV) saw Erasmus as a heretic and banned his books

Question 4

how did Mary attempt to tackle issues regarding the economy during her reign?

Answer 4

• drew up plans to revalue the currency but died before its implementation
• a new book of rates was introduced in 1558 to increase crown income from custom duties
• laws were passed against grain hoarders after bad harvests in 1555 and 1556

Question 5

what disrupted English economy from 1557-8?

Answer 5

the sweating sickness

Question 6

what trade and exploration developments were there during Mary’s reign?

Answer 6

• naval and militia development took place
• there was an unsuccessful attempt to find a passage through the northeast in 1555 and were blocked by ice