Edward VI & Cultural Developments

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Intellectual Developments During Edward VI's Reign

Intellectual developments were a key feature of Edward VI's reign. This was largely driven by Renaissance ideas.

Who was influenced by humanism?

Humanism mostly affected the educated elite.
This was because they were literate and could read key humanist texts.

Encouraging humanism

Humanist ideas about education and human potential were encouraged during Edward VI's reign.
Humanist ideas spread after works by humanist scholars, such as Erasmus, were translated into English.
In the mid-1500s, humanists were spreading their message through literature. This was helped by the printing press.

Humanism and religion

When it first developed, humanism was not associated with either Catholicism or Protestantism.
By Edward VI's reign, humanists were becoming divided because of their clashing religious beliefs.
Young humanists, in particular, were more likely to believe in Protestant doctrines.
This was also because Protestant humanists were involved in education. For example, Richard Cox was Edward VI's tutor.

'Sermon of the Plough'

The Sermon of the Plough was a sermon by Hugh Latimer (a key Protestant minister) at St Paul's in 1548.
This sermon, which emphasised the importance of Protestant doctrine and social morality, was published and became very popular.
This is an example of how the printing press was used to spread Protestant and humanist ideas.

Renaissance ideas

The Renaissance continued to have an influence on intellectual thought in England during Edward VI's reign.
For example, science was becoming a more rigorous discipline and people were beginning to dismiss superstition.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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