crown and people 1500-1700 by rosemary kelly

Page 1: The Wives of Henry VIII

Henry VIII, a significant figure in English history, had several marriages that shaped the political and religious landscape of England. His third wife, Jane Seymour, is depicted in a portrait by Holbein, characterized by her rich clothing and jewelry, and symbolically fits her motto of "Bound to obey and serve." This contrasts sharply with Catherine Howard, Henry's ill-fated fifth wife, shown in another portrait. The political intricacies of Henry's marriages are further accentuated by his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, whose marriage to Henry in 1540 was brief and unsatisfactory for the king. Meanwhile, Edward VI, the son Henry had long desired, became king at just nine years old after Henry's death in 1547. The instability following Henry's reign meant that Edward ascended to the throne during a time of wars and royal debt.

Page 2: Divided Christians and Political Intrigue

Despite Henry's break from the Catholic Church, his reign left many aspects of Catholic services unchanged, leading to public confusion. Following Henry's death, Edward's uncle, Duke of Somerset, took control but was viewed as arrogant and inefficient. His overthrow by John Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland, indicated the ongoing power struggles within the monarchy. Both men, being Protestants, utilized this to justify seizing church properties and treasures, resulting in significant religious changes that provoked resistance. Others, like Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, sought a "middle way" in religious practices, leading to the introduction of the Prayer Book in English. However, the changes sparked rebellions in Devon and Cornwall, fueled by dissatisfaction with the new services. The death of Edward VI led to a desperate political maneuver by Northumberland to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne, resulting in her rule of only nine days before Mary, Edward’s Catholic half-sister, claimed her right to the throne.

Page 3: The Reign of Mary I

Mary I, daughter of Catherine of Aragon, ascended to the throne at thirty-seven, bringing with her a Catholic agenda against Protestantism. Her marriage to Philip of Spain, heir to a Catholic power in Europe, was met with skepticism among her subjects, fearing involvement in Spanish affairs. As Mary worked to restore Catholicism, nearly 300 Protestants were executed for heresy during her reign, a brutal effort that ultimately turned public sentiment against her. Despite her attempts to reinstate the Catholic Church and eliminate Protestantism, Mary's reign was marked by further political and social turmoil, including military defeats and personal sorrow from her failure to bear an heir. Her reign, lasting just five years, concluded with her death in 1558, leaving her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth to rule and potentially reverse her religious reforms.