HR366-6-SP-CO:
Henry VIII and his reign
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Inactive
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
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The reign of Henry was a seminal period in English history which saw massive religious and cultural change in England. It was also a period of significant change in the history of Ireland, with the beginning of English attempts to conquer the entire island. Understandably a period of such transformative change is and was the subject of intense debate. Henry VIII, the monarch at the centre of these debates, also remains a figure of considerable significance and complexity in popular culture down to the present day.
This module will examine the changes occurred in England and Ireland under Henry. It will also examine the goals of the king and his success or failure in achieving them. It will compare Henry VIII to rival kings and assess his challenges and achievements in comparison to their challenges and achievements.
The major event of Henry VIII's reign was the break with Rome and his becoming Supreme Head of the English Church; this module will analyse how and why this happened and the consequences of these events. And it will look at the dark closing years of the reign as Henry VIII plunged his kingdom into debt fighting foreign wars and while rival nobles watched the dying king and schemed for their futures in the reign of his son.
The module will conclude by examining the importance of Henry VIII's, especially on English religion and politics and by looking at Henry VIII's role in popular culture throughout the centuries. (Henry VIII is one of the very few monarchs in English history whose picture is recognised by nearly everyone; this module will explain how and why this happened).
Henry VIII was many things but he was not dull. Fascinating people interacted with him: Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon, Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell and Thomas More. The king, his friends and enemies, his achievements and failures have inspired playwrights, novelists and artists for five hundred years. If you take this module you will start to learn why.
The readings in this module will consist of both primary and secondary sources for each lecture.
The aims of the module are:
1. To familiarize students with ongoing debates on the origins and development of the English Reformation
2. To familiarize students with Henry VIII and the events of his reign
3. To familiarize students with the history of early modern England and Ireland
4. To instruct students in the nature of early modern kingship and of early modern government
5. To enable the students to assess historical sources
6. To understand the roles different media have played in shaping overall perceptions of Henry VIII
7. To develop research and writing skills
On successful completion of this module, students will:
1. Have an awareness of key debates in early modern British history.
2. Be able to read historical sources critically.
3. Learn to analyse different types of historical source: official documents, histories, plays, novels, paintings and films.
4. Have a more sophisticated awareness of how perceptions of the past are shaped.
5. Have an increased understanding of the history of England and Ireland.
6. Have researched and analysed historical texts.
7. Have presented their research as a group and participated in seminar discussion.
For introductory reading, see:
Lucy Wooding, Henry VIII, Second edition (London and New York: 2015).
Peter Marshall's history of the English Reformation, Heretics and Believers (New Haven, CT: 2018).
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, available on-line and in hard copy at the SlomanLibrary, provides high-quality biographies of many figures in Henry VIII's reign.
The Acts and Monuments Online is a free, annotated printing of one of the most important primary sources for Henry VIII's reign.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam |
Description |
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Additional coursework information
Anticipated coursework assessment for 2021/22:
A 2000-word essay (40%); a 3000-word essay (50%); a team presentation (5%); and seminar participation (5%).
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Mark Williams
Cardiff University
Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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