EDEXCEL GCSE HISTORY: HENRY VIII AND HIS MINISTERS, 1509-40 (EXAMS FROM 2026) | ANSWERS

These answers have been updated for exams from 2026 onwards.

1 Henry VIII, Renaissance prince

1a Describe one feature of England’s government in 1509.(2)

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You can award four marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

An example of a two-mark answer

One feature of England’s government in 1509 is that the monarch alone made all key decisions of government. (1) When making these decisions, the monarch relied on others to give him advice and carry out important tasks on his behalf. (1)

1b Describe one feature of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne.(2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

An example of a two-mark answer

One feature of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne is that he was seen as the right man for the times. (1) He was a cultured Renaissance prince who could dance, speak several languages, play instruments, and was a strong athlete. (1)

2 Explain why the people of England were hopeful when Henry VIII became King of England in 1509.(12)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

The people of England were all extremely excited to be getting a new king. They did not like the old king. The new king was young and popular, whereas the old king was old and unpopular, and the people of England were bored with him.

An example of a Level 2 answer

People thought Henry becoming king was the correct order of things. They knew their place, above animals and below kings and queens, with only angels and God above the monarch. This is known as the Great Chain of Being.

People found it reassuring that a new king had taken over and there would not be years of fighting and chaos as people argued over who should be the next king.

An example of a Level 3 answer

There are several reasons why people were hopeful when Henry VIII became King of England in 1509. Firstly, he was seen as the right man for the time. Europe was in the middle of the Renaissance and Henry was a typical Renaissance prince. He was famous for his physical strength, he could dance beautifully and play musical instruments. He could speak several languages and was dynamic and charismatic. His youth and magnetism made people hopeful he was the right man to lead England into the new age.

Another reason why people were hopeful when Henry became king in 1509 is because of the peaceful transition that had taken place when his father died. Henry was the undisputed heir, meaning the country did not go to war and fight over who should be the next king. People liked the stability of knowing where everyone stood. Henry coming to the throne reinforced people’s belief in the Great Chain of Being and helped them believe there was order to the world.

An example of a Level 4 answer

When Henry inherited the English crown from his father in 1509, there was cause for great hope and optimism for many of the 2.25 million people who lived in England at the time. Western Europe was undergoing a great change or rebirth, known as the Renaissance, and Henry seemed to personify the spirit of this new age. He was youthful, energetic, and ambitious. He was cultured, too. His ability to play musical instruments, speak several languages, dance, and joust made him the perfect man for the times. Many people would have seen the arrival of a new, young, energetic king on the throne as symbolic of a new, energetic, ambitious England.

Another reason why so many people were hopeful when Henry became King of England in 1509 was because it represented the end of his father’s reign. Henry VII had become deeply unpopular. However, England was wealthy. This combination of a fresh start and financial stability meant that many people were hopeful that Henry VIII was going to be a successful king. The fact that there was very little threat of foreign invasion or rebellion at home added to this sense of optimism.

A final reason why there was such hope when Henry VIII became King of England was the way he came to the throne peacefully. Henry VII had started the Tudor dynasty when he defeated Richard III in battle in 1485. Henry VIII was not expected to become king, but he became Henry VII’s heir when his older brother Arthur died. The lack of confusion and argument over who was going to become king made people hopeful there would be a peaceful and smooth transition to Henry VIII’s reign.

3 ‘Henry VIII was the perfect person to become King of England in 1509.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

Henry was the perfect person to become king because everyone liked him. Also, he didn’t have any brothers or sisters so there was no one else to take over after his father died. He was only young when he became king, but people did not mind that. Henry had lots of help from his ministers, too, and they were very clever and wise even though they had not been born rich. One was called Wolsey, and the other was called Cromwell, and they both really helped the king make decisions about what to do. Overall, Henry was the perfect person to be king.

An example of a Level 2 answer

I agree that Henry was the perfect person to become King of England in 1509. He was young, fit, and healthy, and people expected their kings to be strong military leaders in Tudor times. A man who was good at hunting and sports was considered perfect.

I also agree that Henry was the perfect person to become king because he was extremely popular. Many people did not like his father Henry VII, who had become king because he defeated the previous king, Richard III, in battle. This meant that some people did not think he should be king, but there were no questions like that over Henry VIII because he was inheriting the throne from his father.

Overall, I think he was perfect person to become king because he was young and popular.

An example of a Level 3 answer

There is clear evidence that Henry was the perfect person to be crowned King of England in 1509. His father’s reign had become old and stale, and Henry VIII represented youth and vigour at a time when Western European culture was blossoming during the Renaissance. To many people in England in 1509, Henry was exactly what a King of England should be: young, athletic, vibrant, and vital. It was easy to imagine him leading an army into battle, which was an important aspect of kingship in the sixteenth century, and the nation could see itself as youthful and energetic in his image.

More evidence to support the argument that Henry was the perfect person to become king in 1509 is the fact that he was extremely popular with the people. There was no dispute over whether he should inherit the throne, so everyone united behind him. His father had become extremely unpopular, and people saw Henry VIII as a fresh start.

More evidence that Henry was the ideal man to become king in 1509 is because he reflected the times in which he lived. And what exciting times they were! Europe was undergoing a Renaissance – a rebirth of European culture, and people became greatly interested in rediscovering ideas from ancient Greek and Roman civilisations. Henry could dance, speak several languages, and play musical instruments. He was also a great athlete and excelled at tennis, wrestling, jousting, and archery.

Overall, Henry was the perfect man to become King of England in 1509 because he was young, popular, and cultured.

An example of a Level 4 answer

It can be argued that Henry VIII was the ideal person to become King of England in 1509 because he seemed to encapsulate what people in 1509 thought a king should be. He was very popular! He was athletic, youthful, vibrant, and vital. He excelled at a wide range of sports, including jousting. Leading an army into battle was an essential aspect of kingship in the early sixteenth century, so these attributes implied that Henry would be an outstanding military leader and bring glory to England.

Another aspect that made Henry VIII the ideal person to become king in 1509 was his interest in culture. Europe was undergoing a Renaissance at the time of Henry’s coronation. Rediscovering ideas from ancient Greek and Roman civilisations became very fashionable and very important. Henry seemed to be the perfect man for these times. He could dance, speak several languages, and play several musical instruments. It is difficult to imagine a better representation of the perfect Renaissance prince than the young Henry VIII.

However, there is also evidence to suggest that Henry VIII was not the perfect man to be crowned King of England in 1509. He was just 18 when he became king, and he was naïve and lacking in experience. He was also extremely egotistical and prone to overconfidence in his own abilities. His desperate need to win military glory was both expensive and unwise politically. He was also disinterested in the day-to-day running of government and often left important decisions to others. On a personal level, his obsession with dangerous sports such as jousting also put his physical health, and therefore the stability of the kingdom, at risk.

Overall, Henry’s greatest strengths as King of England in 1509 were also his greatest weaknesses. He embodied youth and confidence, which helped the English see themselves as youthful and dynamic, too. Yet, youth and confidence can also be seen as inexperience and arrogance. On balance, however, it can be argued that Henry was the ideal person to become King of England in 1509 because he appointed extremely capable people as his chief ministers to compensate for his weaknesses.

2 The rise of Wolsey and his policies

1a Describe one feature of English society in 1509.(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of English society in 1509 was that most people lived in the countryside. (1) Only 10% of people lived in towns and cities, with around 60,000 living in London, England’s biggest city. (1)

1b Describe one feature of the Great Chain of Being.(2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

One feature of the Great Chain of Being is that everyone knew their place and few questioned it. (1) Kings and queens were at the top, below God and Angels, and Peasants were towards the bottom. (1)

2 Explain why Wolsey’s domestic policies made him unpopular with the rich and powerful in England.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Wolsey set up enquiries to investigate the issues caused by enclosures. The enquiries led to court cases against landowners who had fenced off land without proper permission, which made Wolsey unpopular with rich and powerful landowners.
• Wolsey strengthened the Star Chamber, enabling more people living in poverty to bring cases to court. The rich and powerful saw this reform of the justice system as proof that Wolsey had a grudge against them, because he had made it easier for people to seek justice against them.
• In 1526, Wolsey put forward a series of proposals to reduce the running costs of the Royal Household. The proposals, called the Eltham Ordinances, made Wolsey unpopular because the rich and powerful believed they were more about removing Wolsey’s rivals at court than saving money.

3 ‘Wolsey’s foreign policies were, overall, very successful.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Treaty of London of 1518, which was organised by Wolsey, was a great success. It placed England at the centre of Western European politics and made England seem important. However, the peace agreed by the treaty did not last.
• Wolsey arranged the Field of the Cloth of Gold, a meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I in 1520. It was a spectacular event, which allowed Henry to present himself as one of the three most important rulers in Europe.
• The Treaty of Cambrai, in 1529, was a disaster for Wolsey. Wolsey wanted to play Francis I and Charles V off against each other, but they signed the treaty without Wolsey’s knowledge, making England look isolated and weak.

3 Wolsey, Catherine, the succession, and annulment

1a Describe one feature of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. (2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

One feature of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon is that they received a dispensation from the Pope to enable them to marry. (1) They needed this because the Church banned a man from marrying his brother’s wife. (1)

1b Describe one feature of Wolsey’s fall from power. (2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of Wolsey’s fall from power was his failure to secure Henry VIII an annulment to his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. (1) Henry began to suspect that Wolsey was loyal to the papacy and not him and it led to a major breakdown in trust. (1)

2 Explain why Wolsey’s early foreign policy can be considered successful. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Henry VIII wanted to win glory on foreign battlefields. Although the invasion of France in 1513 that Wolsey organised was very expensive and there were limited gains, Henry was able to claim victory at the Battle of the Spurs in 1514.
• The 1518 Treaty of London was a great diplomatic triumph for Wolsey. Although the peace agreed at the treaty didn’t last, it placed England at the centre of Western European politics and made England seem important.
• Wolsey arranged the Field of the Cloth of Gold, a meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I in 1520. It was a spectacular event, which allowed Henry to present himself as one of the three most important rulers in Europe.

3 ‘Wolsey’s failure to secure Henry VIII an annulment in 1529 was the reason for his downfall.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• In 1529, without informing Wolsey, Francis I made peace with Charles V at the Treaty of Cambrai. This made England look isolated and weak, and Wolsey was held responsible.
• Wolsey was skilled at ruthlessly removing his rivals at court. However, when Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn, he was unable to stop the rise of the Boleyn family at court. They plotted against him, suggesting to Henry that Wolsey was working in the interests of the papacy.
• Wolsey told Henry he would be able to secure him an annulment. When he failed to do so, this greatly angered Henry, and Henry began to suspect that Wolsey’s loyalty was to the papacy and not him.

4 Cromwell’s rise to power

1a Describe one feature of Cromwell’s life before 1530.(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of Cromwell’s life before 1530 was his humble beginnings. (1) Cromwell was born the son of a blacksmith and innkeeper. (1)

1b Describe one feature of the annulment of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the annulment of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon is that Parliament passed the Act in Restraint of Appeals in 1533 and all powers previously belonging to the papacy, including the power to grant annulments, now belonged to Henry. (1) This meant that Archbishop Cranmer was able to rule Henry’s marriage to Catherine had never been valid because she had been married to his brother. (1)

2 Explain why Thomas Cromwell became Henry VIII’s Chief Minister.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Thomas Cromwell’s early career demonstrated he was extremely capable and had a wide range of skills. When he was appointed to the Royal Council and then the Privy Chamber in 1530–31, he was able to directly show Henry VIII what he was capable of.
• Wolsey recognised Cromwell’s abilities and brought him to the attention of Henry and the court. Cromwell was also loyal to Wolsey when Wolsey fell from power, which proved to Henry that Cromwell was loyal, had principles, and would not simply agree with him; all things Henry liked.
• Cromwell quickly grasped that the Pope would never grant Henry an annulment to his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and started to explore other options to legally end the marriage. He succeeded where Wolsey had failed in May 1533, when Archbishop Cranmer ruled that Henry’s marriage to Catherine had never been valid because she had been married to his older brother, Arthur.

3 ‘The main reason Wolsey became increasingly unpopular was his reforms of the justice system.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Wolsey strengthened the Star Chamber, enabling more people living in poverty to bring cases to court. This made the justice system fairer. However, the changes were very unpopular with wealthy landowners and merchants, because Wolsey had made it easier for people to bring cases against them.
• Wolsey set up enquiries to investigate the issues caused by enclosures, which led to 260 court cases against landowners who had fenced off land without proper permission. Wolsey became increasingly unpopular with wealthy landowners as a result.
• In 1525, Wolsey demanded a forced loan – the Amicable Grant – and people were given just ten weeks to pay. Many people claimed they were unable to pay and there was widespread anger, including a 4,000-strong rebellion in Suffolk.

5 Cromwell, the king’s marriages, and government

1a Describe one feature of European politics in the early sixteenth century.(2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of European politics in the early sixteenth century was the rivalry between Francis I (King of France) and Charles V (King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor). (1) They were fighting for control over northern Italy. (1)

1b Describe one feature of Wolsey’s foreign policy.(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

One feature of Wolsey’s foreign policy was military success. (1) Henry wanted to win glory on foreign battlefields, and Wolsey had to help him do this without bankrupting England. (1)

2 Explain why Cromwell changed how Henry’s government worked.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Royal Council had around 100 members and it was disorganised: discussions were not recorded and were often dominated by one person. To improve decision-making, Cromwell replaced the Royal Council with the Privy Council.
• After the break with Rome, Cromwell realised that the King’s Chamber would not be able to cope with the increase in work generated by the increase in sources of income. Therefore, he divided the work of the King’s Chamber between six new departments, known as ‘courts’.
• Cromwell made Parliament a partner in government. This meant the wealthy and powerful in Parliament would be more inclined to support Henry’s policies if they had been asked to approve them. It also allowed Cromwell to claim decisions were made by the country and not by Henry acting alone. In this way, blame for any mistakes was shared out.

3 ‘Anne Boleyn’s downfall happened because Cromwell conspired against her.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Cromwell knew the role Anne and her family played in Wolsey’s downfall. He conspired against her because he did not want to share Wolsey’s fate and perhaps wanted revenge for his mentor.
• By 1536, Henry was in love with Jane Seymour, making Anne’s downfall inevitable and nothing to do with Cromwell. Henry was eager to get Anne out of the way so Jane could become his wife and give him the son he was so desperate for.
• Once Henry had decided he wanted to end his marriage to Anne, Cromwell built the case against her. He collected evidence and used it to convince Henry and the court that Anne was guilty of adultery and treason.

6 The fall of Cromwell

1a Describe one feature of Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne of Cleves. (2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

One feature of Henry’s marriage to Anne of Cleves was that the couple did not meet before she arrived in England for the wedding. (1) Henry took an immediate dislike to her and shouted, ‘I like her not!’ at Cromwell when he first met her. (1)

1b Describe one feature of the execution of Thomas Cromwell. (2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the execution of Thomas Cromwell is that Parliament passed an Act of Attainder, condemning Cromwell to death without a trial. (1) He was beheaded on 28 July 1540. (1)

2 Explain why Henry wanted to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Henry VIII wanted a male heir to secure his line of succession. However, by 1527, Catherine of Aragon was 42 years old and increasingly less likely to give birth to the son Henry craved.
• Henry and Catherine received a dispensation from the Pope before they married, because the Church banned a man from marrying his brother’s wife. However, by 1527, Henry believed his lack of a son was God’s punishment for breaking the instruction in Leviticus 20:21, and so he wanted to end his marriage to Catherine.
• Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn in the mid-1520s. He wanted to end his marriage to Catherine so he could marry Anne; he believed Anne would provide him with the male heir he longed for.

3 ‘The main reason for Thomas Cromwell’s downfall was the Duke of Norfolk conspiring against him.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Cromwell encouraged Henry VIII to marry Anne of Cleves to strengthen Protestantism in England and secure a Protestant ally in Europe. However, Henry took an immediate dislike to Anne when she arrived in England, and Henry blamed Cromwell for the failed marriage.
• Henry fell in love with the Duke of Norfolk’s niece, Catherine Howard. Norfolk – who resented the fact that Cromwell, a commoner, had so much power – used Catherine to poison Henry’s mind against Cromwell.
• Norfolk was a devout Catholic and blamed Cromwell for pushing Protestant ideas onto Henry. He also wanted to become Henry’s Chief Minister. As a result, Norfolk had hated Cromwell for many years.

7 The break with Rome

1a Describe one feature of the Act of Succession (1534).(2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the Act of Succession was that it stated that Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon had never been valid. (1) This meant that only Henry’s children from his marriage to Anne Boleyn could inherit the throne. (1)

1b Describe one feature of the Act of Supremacy (1534).(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the Act of Supremacy was that it made Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England. (1) This meant the Pope no longer had authority in England and Henry could reorganise the Church if he wanted to. (1)

2 Explain why Acts of Parliament played an important role in the break with Rome. (12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The 1534 Act of Succession stated that Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon had never been valid, so only Henry’s children from his marriage to Anne Boleyn could inherit the throne. It also stated that it was treason to deny the validity of Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn. The Act was designed to prevent opposition to the break with Rome.
• The 1534 Act of Supremacy stated that Henry was Supreme Head of the Church of England, and the Pope no longer had authority in England. It also stated that the clergy must now pay the taxes they had once paid to the Pope in Rome to the crown. Henry was now free to reorganise the Church however he wanted to.
• The Treason Act of 1534 made it treason to call the king or queen a heretic. This enabled Cromwell to crush opposition to the break with Rome by charging anyone who denied the royal supremacy with treason.

3 ‘Cromwell’s rise to power was due entirely to Wolsey’s support.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Wolsey played an extremely important role in Cromwell’s rise to power. By 1520, Cromwell had become Wolsey’s trusted advisor, and it was Wolsey who brought him to the attention of Henry and the court.
• Wolsey’s failure to secure Henry an annulment to his marriage to Catherine of Aragon contributed to his downfall. It was Cromwell’s ability to free Henry from his marriage that saw him rise to become Henry’s Chief Minister.
• Cromwell impressed Henry and gained his trust. Cromwell was loyal to Wolsey when he fell from power and Henry liked this, realising that Cromwell had principles, and would not simply agree with everything he said. He also won Henry’s trust when he secured the annulment.

8 The Reformation

1a Describe one feature of the fall of Anne Boleyn.(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the fall of Anne Boleyn is that she failed to give birth to a son. (1) Elizabeth was born in 1533, but Henry was still desperate for a male heir and was running out of patience. (1)

1b Describe one feature of Cromwell’s reforms of government. (2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of Cromwell’s reforms of government was the changes he made to the Council of the North. (1) After the Pilgrimage of Grace, he turned it into a permanent institution dominated by royal officials and gave it more power over law and order. (1)

2 Explain why Henry VIII closed all the religious houses in England and Wales.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Henry VIII had financial reasons for closing the monasteries: he could take all the monasteries’ gold and silver and collect the rent on their land. This money could then be used to defend England from attack without Henry having to ask Parliament for new taxes, and he could buy support from nobles. In 1535, Cromwell arranged for the property of all monasteries to be valued; the resulting survey is known as Valor Ecclesiasticus.
• Many monasteries were extremely wealthy and powerful, and Henry was suspicious of the loyalty of monks and nuns: despite taking the Oath of Succession, he believed they remained loyal to the Pope. If Henry closed the monasteries, the problem would disappear.
• In 1535, Cromwell sent inspectors to find out if monks and nuns were living the deeply religious life expected of them. The inspectors discovered they were not, and the findings were used to justify the closing of the monasteries.

3 ‘There was very little opposition to the Reformation in England.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• A clause in the 1534 Act of Succession required everybody to take the Oath of Succession. Anybody who refused to take the oath could be convicted of treason. This stopped most people from publicly opposing the religious changes taking place, which makes it difficult to know how many people opposed it.
• One of the most famous people to oppose the Reformation was Sir Thomas More. He refused to take the Oath of Succession, for which he was executed. This signalled that no one, not even one of Henry’s closest advisors, would escape punishment if they opposed the Reformation.
• While there was little opposition to the Reformation, some people did oppose it. Examples include Elizabeth Barton and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester. Both were executed for their opposition, demonstrating that Henry would use the 1534 Treason Act to punish people who opposed the Reformation.

9 The Pilgrimage of Grace

1a Describe one feature of the Lincolnshire Rising (1536). (2)

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You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the Lincolnshire Rising was that it was initially led by a shoemaker called Nicholas Melton. (1) He led a riot of 3,000 people in Louth. (1)

1b Describe one feature of the Pilgrimage of Grace (1536).(2)

Mark scheme

You can award two marks for this question. Award one mark for a valid feature, and one mark for accurate supporting information.

For example:

A feature of the Pilgrimage of Grace was that up to 40,000 people organised themselves into nine rebel armies. (1) They called themselves ‘pilgrims’ to emphasise the religious nature of the uprising. (1)

2 Explain why Thomas Cromwell was executed for treason on 28 July 1540.(12)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Thomas Cromwell encouraged Henry VIII to marry Anne of Cleves, because he believed the argument for religious change in England would be strengthened if Henry married Protestant Anne. Also, he thought that the Protestant state of Cleves would be a good ally for England. When the marriage failed, Henry blamed Cromwell.
• Henry had fallen in love with Catherine Howard, niece of the Duke of Norfolk. Following Norfolk’s instructions, Catherine persuaded Henry that Cromwell was deliberately preventing the annulment of his marriage to Anne of Cleves from taking place. She also implied that Cromwell was trying to make England more Protestant, against Henry’s wishes.
• The Duke of Norfolk was a powerful enemy. He hated the fact that Cromwell, a commoner, had more influence over Henry than he did. Norfolk was also a devout Catholic, who blamed Cromwell for pushing Protestant ideas onto Henry. When Henry blamed Cromwell for the failed marriage to Anne of Cleves, Norfolk seized the opportunity to destroy Cromwell’s reputation before the king.

3 ‘The most important reason for the Pilgrimage of Grace was religion.’
How far do you agree? Explain your answer.(16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• People in the north of England were mainly Catholic, and they believed their faith was being threatened by the dissolution of the smaller monasteries, which was already underway. They were worried about what the dissolution of the monasteries meant for their communities and their churches.
• Catholics in the north were not happy about the break with Rome. They wanted the Pope restored as the head of the Church and all Protestant reforms reversed.
• Bad harvests in 1535 and 1536 led to food shortages. Enclosures were continuing and were driving people off the land. The government was also demanding taxes in peacetime, and many people were struggling to pay.