tudors historians quotes

Henry VII profits of justice

'The less blood he drew, the more he took in treasure' Historian Francis Bacon

Henry VII council learned

“By the end of the reign it had become the most detested but the most important of all Henry’s institutions of government involved in the maintenance of law and order.” Caroline Rogers and Roger Turvey

Henry VIII religion

'swinging pendulum of religion' Starkey

Henry VIII cromwell

Historian G. Elton argues that there was a Tudor revolution in government under Cromwell through his court reforms and changes to parliament

Henry VIII eltham ordinances

David Starkey on Eltham Ordinances, reflected his fears after the Amicable Grant that he would lose power and authority

Edward legacy of somerset

Lotherington quote on Somerset: 'the Protectors Legacy in foreign affairs to his successor was failure in Scotland, a continuing struggle against France, and extremely strained finances'

Edward year of discontent

"At no time, even in 1549, was the country in danger of collapse, and for most people life went on as normal." Heard

Edward purgatory

Ban of purgatory described by W. K. Jordan as ‘probably the most shattering and irreversible action of the reformation in England’.

Edward second prayer book

D. Loades ‘With the advent of the second Prayer book the worship of the English Church could be described as fully reformed’.

Mary loss of Calais

Elton described Calais as 'expensive and useless , was better lost than kept'

Mary character

Elton described Mary as 'devoid of political skill and unable to compromise' (can argue that she did lack political flexibility, but the structural problems she faced (being a female monarch in a culture that did not accept female rule, and inheriting a country that had changed religiously for a generation) would have tested any ruler)

Elizabeth golden age

'When Elizabeth died, her image remained like a ghost to haunt her Stuart successors and taunt them with their inadequacies' Lotherington

Elizabeth poverty

'A local tax for the poor was a striking achievement and one unique to England' historian Paul Slack