In this course we will explore the dramatic clashes which peppered Tudor England, including dynastic challenges and violent social, economic and religious rebellions. We will investigate the evolving relationship between the monarchy, nobility, and people of England, and how disorder challenged and ultimately strengthened Tudor authority.

Over six weeks, we will explore rebellion and disorder in Tudor England. Despite their reputation for authority, the Tudors were plagued by continual rebellions across England, which included political and dynastic challenges, economic push backs, social disruption in the face of emerging classes in society, and religious disorder in the face of the Henrician, Edwardian and Elizabethan reformations. W

e will examine how each monarch navigated threats of popular unrest and conspiracies from within the nobility, and assess the patterns of dissent. We will discuss how rebellions were suppressed, and what that can tell us about the effectiveness of the Tudor regimes and their propaganda. Case studies will include the Cornish rebellion of 1497, the Pilgrimage of Grace, the Prayer Book Rebellion, Kett’s rebellion, Wyatt’s rebellion and the Revolt of the Northern Earls. We will also cover the Spanish sponsored plots against Elizabeth I.