The Early Tudors: England 1485-1558: Advancing History Core Texts:

Summary:
SHP Advanced History Core Texts are the Schools History Project's acclaimed new books for A level History. These books apply SHP's two decades of curriculum development experience to the challenge of helping students make the leap from GCSE to A level.

They offer:
- clear and penetrating narrative - comprehensively explaining the content required for examination success
- thought provoking and relevant activities that explore the content and help students think analytically about the subject
- thorough exam preparation through carefully designed tasks that address the distinctive requirements of A Level history
- a wide range of revision strategies including structured content summaries

Additional features include:
- A focus route pathway for independent learners
- Learning Trouble Spots - which address common misunderstandings
- diagrammatic summaries of key areas of content and historical issues
- accessible summaries of recent historical debates.

An investigation of the history of Britain under the early Tudors from Henry VII to Mary. It gives students an insight into the nature, achievements and failures of the governments of the Tudor dynasty; the changing nature of English society at this time; and the ongoing historiographical debate about the period.

Major themes include:
- how close were the Tudors to being toppled?
- was England an insignificant outpost in Europe?
- how important was image to the Tudor monarchs?

The book offers examination preparation for A Level students, along with a range of student helps to bridge the conceptual and skills gap between GCSE and A Level. There is practical guidance in essay writing and revision, along with opportunities for active learning, including decision-making exercises and source-based investigations.

• A clear and penetrating narrative which gives students a clear insight into the issues required for an understanding of the period
• Thorough exam preparation through carefully designed tasks that address the distinctive requirements of AS and A2 examinations
• A wide range of revision strategies including structured content summaries
• 'Focus Route' pathway designed specifically for independent learning
• Extensive range of tasks to enable active learning using a variety of learning styles
• Activities to develop key skills - particularly of enquiry and communication
• Features such as 'Learning trouble spots' and large diagrams to summarise difficult and important concepts
• Accessible analysis of recent historical debates

Table of Contents:
SECTION 1 Henry VII
1 First impressions – what image do we get of Henry VII?
2 The invasion of '85 – how did Henry become king?
3 The monarch's manifesto – what were Henry's concerns on his accession?
4 Foreign policy – help or hindrance?
5 Hanging by a thread – was Henry ever secure?
6 Henry VII – the verdict
SECTION 2 Henry VIII
7 'So great a prince' – was Henry VIII likely to be a good king?
8 Part-time monarch? Henry VIII and his government, 1509–47
9 Divorce, doctrine or dosh? The reasons for the break with Rome and the origins of the Reformation
10 Why wasn't there an early Tudor crisis? How serious was the opposition to the Reformation?
11 The third fiddle in Europe? How successful was Henry VIII's foreign policy?
12 Henry VIII – the verdict
SECTION 3 Edward VI
13 Irrelevant Edward? How much influence did Edward VI have in government?
14 How successfully was England governed during Edward's reign?
15 The pendulum swings decisively – what drove the move towards Protestantism during Edward's VI's reign?
16 The year of the many-headed monster – how dangerous were the rebellions of 1549 for Edward VI's government?
17 On the sidelines of Europe? How successful was foreign policy during Edward VI's reign?
18 The chain is broken – how was the succession altered on Edward's death?
19 Edward VI – the verdict
SECTION 4 Mary I
20 The chain restored – did Mary have what it took to continue the Tudor dynasty?
21 A marriage of inconvenience – how beneficial was Mary's marriage to Philip?
22 A Spanish pawn? Did England benefit from being a close ally of Spain, 1553–58?
23 The pendulum swings back again – how Catholic was England by 1558?
24 Mary I – the verdict
Conclusion: How successful were the Tudors?

About the Author(s):
David Rogerson is Head of History at Lord Williams' School, Thame. Samantha Ellsmore is Deputy Headteacher at Isleworth & Syon School, Middlesex. David Hudson is Head of Sixth Form at St Birinus School, Didcot.

Series editor Ian Dawson is a former Director of the Schools History Project.

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