Mid-Tudor crisis? Flashcards
Evidence that there was a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of the economy?
Henry VIII - War with France in 1542-6 cost £2,144,765, Henry debased the coinage to get short-term relief from the failing economy
Ed - Debasement continued
Mary - bad harvest of 1557 led to high inflation and famine
Liz - started her reign with £300,000 in debt (whereas Henry VII had left his son £300,000 in the Crown coffer)
Evidence that there was not a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of economics?
Henry - seizure of Boulogne provided a means to make money in the long run
Ed - returned Boulogne to France for £133,333 (however, Henry had wanted £800,000) (however however, this was more than the K of France wanted to pay)
Mary - new book of rates increased customs duties from £29,000 to £85,000 in 12 months (benefited Liz more due to brevity of the reign, but positive change nonetheless), rents on crown lands re-evaluated which raised £40k per annum, the Exchequer successfully pursued Crown debts
Liz - reissued the coinage, meaning that the government no longer resorted to debasement (government could not be blamed for raising prices)
Evidence that there was a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of government?
Henry VIII - political turmoil (factional struggles - e.g. Cromwell was elevated to Earl of Essex and Great Chamberlain, but was executed for treason within 2 months)
Ed - more political turmoil (Somerset overthrown and replaced)
Mary - none of her trusted advisors were experienced (Michael Graves, ‘no Tudor monarch had a more disunited Council), factional struggles continued between Paget and Gardiner
Liz - authority questioned due to her gender (e.g. pushed to marry)
Evidence that there was not a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of government?
Henry - balance of Catholics and Protestants meant that each side could keep each other in check (Starkey, ‘puppet master’
Ed - after Somerset overthrown, NL introduced a more consensual style of government and not dominating the council (Lord President of the Council, not Lord Protector)
Mary - worked well w/ Parl (e.g. Retail Traders Act and Woollen Cloth Act) (however, often struggled to pass religious acts and had to compromise)
Liz - established a small, politically competent and loyal Privy Council (through patronage)
Evidence that there was a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of religion?
Henry VIII - inconsistent religious policy (e.g. defended Cranmer against accusations of heresy for his Protestantism, but also passed legislation such as the Act for the Advancement of the True Religion and endorsed the King’s Book which defended transubstantiation)
Ed - 1549 BCP caused rebellion in the West Country (however, this was intended as a temporary compromise between reformers and conservatives - however, clearly failed in its purpose)
Mary - radical religious change resulted in her having to burn 280 of her subjects to create religious compliance
Liz - her settlement only passed with a majority of 3 votes, showing country = divided
Evidence that there was not a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of religion?
Ed - consistent Protestantism, NL was able to implement radical change without rebellion (but brevity)
Mary - was able to quickly undo Edwardian reforms and passed all her desired religious acts, consistent throughout her reign (but brevity)
Liz - restored her supremacy (Governor not Head, but no practical difference - think Strickland), moderate yet clear policies
Evidence that there was a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of foreign policy?
Henry - Rough Wooing (Treaty of Greenwich repudiated)
Ed - failed in continuation of Rough Wooing, arguably selling Boulogne was a failure?
Mary - lost Calais!!
Liz - intervention in France in 1562 backfired, leading England to sign the dishonourable Treaty of Troyes in 1564, defeat at Leith in Scotland in 1560
Evidence that there was not a mid-Tudor crisis in terms of foreign policy?
Henry - major victories at Solway Moss in 1542 and Boulogne in 1544 (T of Greenwich was an initial success but quickly repudiated at request of Mary of Guise)
Ed - defeat of Scots at Battle of Pinkie Clough in 1547, NL stopped funding Scottish garrisons bringing and end to hostilities w/ Scotland and France
Mary - strong Spanish alliance maintained
Liz - Treaty of Edinburgh lessened threat of MQS, Liz’s position further strengthened when MQS was forced to return to France
How can we define the mid-Tudor crisis?
Period of supposed instability between the later years of Henry VIII (from 1540) to the early years of Elizabeth I (up until 1563).
