Sample History Essays on The Tudor monarch
Introduction
The Tudor monarch was ruled by five rulers between 1485 and 1603 (Plowden 10). The five rulers of the Tudor dynasty were King Henry VII, VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. However, the reign of the Tudor dynasty ended in 1603 when Queen Elizabeth I died. The queen died without an heir to the throne. However, King James, I took control of the throne. James, I was a distant relation of Queen Elizabeth I (Plowden 46). During the reign of the Tudor dynasty, there were extensive changes that occurred during the reign. This paper will discuss the effects of the Tudor monarch on politics, religion, culture, economy and legal practice.
Effects of the Tudor monarch
The Tudor monarch had a major impact on religion because it was during the reign of King Henry VII that the protestant reformation occurred. The Pope excommunicated the King in 1533 prompting King Henry VIII to establish a new church called the “Church of England (Guy 58).” The King educated Edward VI in protestant values, but he was unable to develop the Church of England because of his untimely death when he was 15 years of age. During the reign of Mary I, there were violent outbreaks that led to the death of 300 Protestants who were burnt by the Catholic Church. King Henry VIII was opposed to the sharing of power between the church and the monarch. Therefore, he challenged the authority of the church through parliamentary statues seeking to break ties with Rome. King Henry VIII was able to increase the power of the monarch by breaking relations with Rome (Guy 67). However, the reign of the monarch over Rome could not continue because of the death of Edward and Mary. The power of the church was restored when Queen Elizabeth I signed the Elizabeth Religious Settlement.
According to Harrison (79), the economy was a fundamental aspect in regards to survival of the Tudor monarch. During the Tudor monarch, there were significant changes in the economic life of the English empire. For example, when Henry VII ascended to the throne, the monarch obtained significant income from the use of the Yorkist and Lancastrian lands (Plowden 95). Furthermore, during the reign of Henry VIII, the additional income from the utilisation of the lands belonging to the church improved the economy of the monarch. The disassociation of the monarch from the Vatican church during the reign of Henry VIII has the monarch more income and political strength. Furthermore, the monarch distributed lands to the people to be used for economic aspects. Also, the monarch improved taxation efforts to collect more income from the distributed areas. By distributing portions of land to senior members of the society, the empire gained allegiance and more political strength (Harrison 27).
According to Guy (49), the reign of the Tudor monarch had a profound effect on the politics of the English empire. For example, it was during the reign of Henry VI, Edward VI and Mary I that the English dynasty increased political relations with Ireland. The formation of political ties with Ireland was aimed at preventing French invasion. The monarch provided financial and military assistance to Ireland to prevent the French from invading the monarch through the island. Irish leaders were given funding to pledge allegiance to the king and subsequently refrain from forming political ties with France. According to Plowden (39), Queen Elizabeth I increased political relations with Ireland by encouraging English families to settle in Ireland. Furthermore, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I increased exploration efforts that led to the acquisition colonies in North America.
The English empire produced few works of literature before the reign of the Tudor Monarchs. The English dynasty imported literature and ideas from the wider European regions. However, with the Tudor empire, the English dynasty adopted a cultural change, especially because King Henry VIII enjoyed literary works and music. Also, it is during the reign of Elizabeth I that recognized literary professionals like William Shake sphere thrived. For example, the Queen attended the first performance play created by William Shakespeare dubbed A midsummer night’s dream (Guy 146). Furthermore, the Tudor monarch had the power to override laws, especially during times of emergency. The King could use the ‘absolute prerogative’ to suspend certain laws, force men from different households to join the army to defend the monarch and increase taxation without the approval of Parliament. The monarch could conduct such practices legally with no consequence. According to Harrison (231), the king was the over Lord with absolute and ordinary prerogatives to protect the monarch. However, the law prevented all kings and queens from behaving irresponsibly through selfish interests. The king could only exercise power if was aimed at protecting the interests of the dynasty. In conclusion, the reign of the Tudor monarch created fundamental changes in Europe between the reign of Henry VII and Elizabeth I. The Tudor monarch facilitated economic progression, enhanced the powers of the king, increased political connections with other regions, such as Ireland and Scotland and increased trading activities in the empire.
Works cited
Guy, J A. The Tudor Monarchy. London: Arnold, 1997. Print.
Harrison, Steve. Tudor Monarchs. Dunstable: Folens, 1995. Print.
Plowden, Alison. The House of Tudor. Stroud, Gloucestershire: History Press, 2011. Internet resource.