Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumEdward VI and Mary I

During the short reign of King Edward VI, the Church of England became significantly more Protestant, notably through the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer. However, his successor, Mary I, famously earned the nickname 'Bloody Mary' for her contrasting approach. Which of the following best describes Mary I's primary religious objective?

  1. She attempted to restore the Roman Catholic faith in England and persecuted those who refused to conform.Answer
  2. B
    She sought to find a 'middle way' that balanced both Catholic and Protestant practices to avoid civil unrest.
  3. C
    She reinforced the break from the authority of the Pope to ensure the monarch remained the Head of the Church.
  4. D
    She further simplified church services by making the Book of Common Prayer mandatory in every parish.

Answer

The correct answer is that Mary I attempted to restore the Roman Catholic faith in England and persecuted those who refused to conform.
The correct answer describes the defining characteristic of Mary I's reign. As a devout Catholic, she aimed to return England to the Roman Catholic Church and restore the authority of the Pope. Her suppression of Protestantism and the execution of those who resisted earned her the name 'Bloody Mary'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the religious context of Edward VI's reign.
Edward VI strengthened Protestantism, specifically through the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer.
Understanding the starting point helps clarify the magnitude of the subsequent reversal.
2
Analyze the religious identity and primary goals of his successor, Mary I.
Mary I was a devout Catholic who viewed the Protestant reforms as heresy.
This explains her motivation for reversing the previous policies.
3
Evaluate the historical actions that led to her nickname 'Bloody Mary'.
She actively persecuted Protestants, leading to many being burned at the stake for their beliefs.
This confirms her objective was the full restoration of Catholicism through force if necessary.

Key Concept

The mid-Tudor religious reversal from Edward VI's Protestantism to Mary I's Catholic restoration.
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Edward VI and Mary I

More questions from this topic