GCE History Specification for AS exams 2009 onwards and A2 exams 2010 onwards (version 2.2)
Unit 1:
Britain, 1483–1529 (B)
HIS1B
How effectively did the early Tudors establish and consolidate their monarchy? Introduction This unit provides an overview of developments in England between 1483 and 1529, taking as its major focus the growth of political stability, from the instability of the reign of Richard III to the establishment of secure government by Henry VII and the development of Tudor rule under Henry VIII, to the fall of Wolsey in 1529. Issues to be studied include the roles played by the Kings themselves and their relationships with the nobility, councils and parliaments; examination of foreign policy and the priorities and constraints that determined England’s relations with her continental neighbours during this period. An understanding of the early Tudor economy and of the impact of expanding trade links will enable students to understand the context in which the early Tudors consolidated their monarchy. Content The End of the Yorkist monarchy and the Triumph of Henry Tudor, 1483–1487 • The Yorkist Monarchy at the time of the death of Edward IV • The accession of Edward V and the usurpation by Richard III
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• Instability in the reign of Richard III: Buckingham’s rebellion and the threat from Henry Tudor • Events leading to the battle of Bosworth and Henry Tudor’s victory • The consolidation of Henry VII’s position, 1485–1487 The Reign of Henry VII: political power and control • Dealing with threats to the dynasty from pretenders and Yorkist claimants and from rebellions in Yorkshire and Cornwall • Protecting the security of the dynasty through relations with foreign powers • Establishing royal authority through relations with the nobility • Establishing royal authority through the management of central and local government and the Church The Reign of Henry VII: finance, economy and trade • Financial management and the wealth of the Crown: policies and outcomes • Main developments in the domestic economy • The expansion of overseas trade, including trade agreements with foreign powers The Continuation of the Tudor monarchy under Henry VIII, 1509–1529 • Government and authority under Henry VIII: the Court and the Privy Chamber and the rise of Thomas Wolsey • Domestic policies: legal reforms, financial management, relations with parliament and economic issues including enclosure • Foreign policies: wars against France, negotiations with the Holy Roman Empire, responses to the Hapsburg-Valois wars and relations with the Papacy • The condition of the Church • The King’s ‘Great Matter’ and the reasons for the fall of Wolsey
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