By: John Moore, Head of History
Upper Sixth History students ventured into London to attend lectures given by eminent Tudor Historians Dr John Guy, Professor John Morrill and Dr David Starkey.
Guy regaled us with tales of factional scheming in his lecture Making sense of the Reign of Edward VI, followed by Morrill who, with Henry VIII’s Break with Rome, invited us to consider the impact of Erasmus on Henry’s thinking and the improbable role played by Henry’s leg ulcers in the erratic decision making of the 1540’s.
After lunch, Guy made a convincing case when inviting us to re-evaluate the reputations of Reginald Pole and Philip II. Were they more progressive than later commentators would care to admit? Last but not least, the diminutive but unforgettable Dr. Starkey brought us back to where it all started with a superb analysis of The Reign of Henry VII.
After a successful day of intellectual nourishment – and the all-important snap with Starkey – we trooped back to our mini-bus, musing over factions, privy chambers and leg ulcers, for the long journey home.
