Anthony Fletcher (1)

Tudor Rebellions by Anthony Fletcher.
Brilliant little history textbook published in the Seminar Studies in History series. It covers the major rebellions during the reins of HenryVII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. There are a couple of introductory chapters setting out the Tudor mindset and then a chapter each to the rebellions. These start with an account of the rebellion and are followed by an analysis of why they took place, all of course were unsuccessful in their objectives. There are maps and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources, but there are also transcriptions of some original documents that serve to put students right in touch with the history that is going on here. It is a first stop for anybody interested in The Pilgrimage of Grace, The Western Rebellion, Kett’s rebellion, Wyatt’s rebellion and the Northern Rebellions.

The book was first published in 1968 and so will not take into account the latest research on the rebellions, but they are a solid and reliable introduction. People approaching this book would gain more if they have some previous knowledge of the period as the essays are too succinct to introduce all the characters involved. For me a Five star read.… (mer)