Henry VII of England

The idea of the ‘Reformation’ can be interpreted in many different ways, and what actually constitutes it can be debated. This essay will focus on the Reformation in what is modern day Germany, with specific reference to Lutheranism. While it would appear obvious that the Reformation was trying to reform religion at its heart, this essay will make the argument that the Reformation was actually part of a wider movement, or change, across the whole of Europe which was not just trying to reform one…

In February of 1540, it was clear that the alliance between Germany and England would not last. Henry and Anne of Cleves simply did not get along. In July of the same year of their marriage, Anne was asked for her consent to an annulment (their marriage had not been consummated) and she quickly agreed. This is not surprising given the reputation that Henry had earned for himself already at the time. Raising up a huge fuss over a marriage that had not even lasted a year would not have been…

Agree or die. This is the way that the rulers of England in the 1500s controlled their subjects. A time of political turmoil heralded many different opinions on the way the monarchs were exerting their power. However, no one could freely express their anger with the leadership in fear of being ousted as a traitor and in consequence, executed. During the 1500’s, one of the main issues was with the changes in religious values. King Henry VIII wanted to adopt Protestantism instead of practicing…

the Monarchy In Europe, during the seventeenth century, it was common to find monarchies. England and France had two different types of monarchy. Not all monarchies were constitutional in Europe. At the period of time it was easy to see Absolutism and Constitutionalism as a form of government. Most of the monarchs were men with the exception of England. Two important reigns were in Europe. One was in England with Queen Elizabeth I and the other one was in France with King Louis XIV. He became…

with 18,000 men transporting an army from Flanders to attack England due to religious differences.1 George Gower (1540 - 1596), Queen Elizabeth’s Serjeant Painter, painted The Armada Portrait to commemorate the Queen Elizabeth I’s accomplishment in leading England to successfully defeating the Spanish Armada. The portrait is currently on display at Woburn Abbey and was originally painted during the Elizabethan Era (1558 - 1603) in England.2 The Armada Portrait provides insights into Queen…

whether Thomas Becket’s fight with secular authority (such as the king) ended with his murder in Canterbury Cathedral on the 29th December 1170 . Becket was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II from 1162 until his death , and came into conflict with him over clerical privilege, with Henry believing that the Church was subject to the laws of the land, whilst Becket maintained that ‘the church was above the law’ . This led to Becket’s murder at the hands of some of the king’s…

says that “she a peasant girl living in medieval France, believed that God had chosen her to lead France to victory in its long-running war with England”. With no military training, Joan convinced the embattled crown prince Charles of Valois to allow her to lead a French army to the besieged city of Orléans. After seeing the prince crowned King Charles VII, Joan was captured by Anglo-Burgundian forces, tried for witchcraft and heresy and burned at the stake in 1431, at the age of 19”. The…

Now we move our focus to a completely different geographical area. This case study is in early modern Spain, specifically the Inquisition, and some of the ways they punished people. The Spanish Inquisition was created in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. Its main purpose was to maintain the catholic orthodoxy in the realms of Spain. The inquisition was under direct control of the monarchy, and it was abolished in 1834. Because it existed…

Short Argument 1: Disproving Knightly Virtues The early centuries were a time when chivalry and courtesy were highly valued among men, as seen in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Lord Bertilak is a man who wants to disprove the knightly virtues through tests and games. This alliterative poem points out the scandals in a knight’s reputation. As the poem begins with a green knight entering King Arthur’s feast with a challenge, he states “where’s the fortitude and fearlessness you’re so famous for…

of Cleves and Cromwell’s urging Henry VIII to marry her led to his down fall. She was very homely looking and Henry could not consummate the marriage. This along with other bad decisions; which alone would not have been as intense, led Cromwell out of the good graces of the king. Henry had him beheaded for treason and meddling in the affairs of the king. This point of view, however, allows Coby to stand out because other works of Cromwell like Early Modern England 1485-1714: A Narrative History…