What does John Guy argue about Henry VII?
Henry VII ran a ‘personal monarchy’ — effective but dependent on the king himself, not institutions.
What does John Guy argue about Elizabeth?
Elizabeth was ‘cautious to the point of inertia.’ The 1590s were the ‘worst decade since the Black Death’ for ordinary people.
What does Thomas Penn argue? (Winter King, 2011)
Henry VII became an oppressive, paranoid ruler in his later years. A ‘rapacious tyrant’ whose financial methods created a ‘polity based on fear.’
What does S.B. Chrimes argue? (Henry VII, 1972)
Henry was a ‘shrewd and capable ruler.’ His most remarkable quality was his financial competence.
What does Geoffrey Elton argue?
‘Tudor Revolution in Government’ — Thomas Cromwell transformed government from medieval household to modern bureaucratic state. The Privy Council, Parliament, and departments became more important than the royal household.
What does David Starkey argue against Elton?
Henry VIII was always his own prime minister. Ministers were executors, not initiators. Challenges Elton’s claim that Cromwell was the driving force.
What does Patrick Collinson argue about Elizabethan religion?
The Church of England was ‘semi-reformed’ — neither fully Protestant nor Catholic. Warned of the ‘Elizabethan delusion’ of a Golden Age.
What does Eamon Duffy argue? (Stripping of the Altars, 1992)
Pre-Reformation Catholicism was vibrant and popular. The Reformation was imposed from above on an unwilling population. Parish evidence shows resistance to change.
What does Christopher Haigh argue?
Elizabeth was ‘lucky rather than skilful.’ The Reformation was a ‘long, slow, uneven process’ — not a sudden break.
What does Diarmaid MacCulloch argue?
Edward VI’s reformation was ‘real but fragile.’ The Elizabethan settlement was ‘an incoherent compromise that worked.’ Specialist on Cranmer.
What does Whitney Jones argue (1973)?
Coined ‘mid-Tudor crisis’ — argued for systemic governmental weakness 1547-58. CHALLENGED by David Loades (1992) who denied any overarching crisis.
What does Susan Doran argue about Elizabeth’s marriage?
The marriage negotiations showed diplomatic skill, not indecision. Elizabeth used the possibility of marriage as a strategic tool for 20+ years.
What does G.W. Bernard argue? (The King’s Reformation, 2005)
Henry VIII personally drove religious change. It was the ‘King’s Reformation’ — Henry was theologically engaged and made the key decisions himself.
What does Sean Cunningham argue about Henry VII?
Challenges the ‘Winter King’ narrative. Stresses Henry VII’s pragmatism over tyranny. His methods were rational responses to genuine threats.
What does Wallace MacCaffrey argue about Elizabeth’s FP?
Elizabeth ‘preferred indecision to the risks of action.’ Emphasises the difficulty of England’s position as a second-rate power with limited resources.
What does R.B. Wernham argue about Elizabeth’s FP?
Elizabeth’s foreign policy was ‘defensive and successful in its main aim’ — keeping England independent and Protestant. The post-1585 military effort was ‘the first world war.’
What does Peter Gwyn argue about Wolsey?
Wolsey pursued a consistent peace policy of his own. He was a diplomatic genius operating semi-independently from Henry — not just a servant.
What does Geoffrey Parker argue about the Armada?
The Armada’s failure owed much to Spanish planning errors and weather, not just English naval skill. Luck was a major factor.
