'A sterile interlude'. How valid is this judgement on the reign on Mary I?

The 20th century scholar A. F. Pollard used the term 'sterile interlude' to describe Mary Tudor's reign. Pollard's thesis specifically meant that Mary's reign was an unproductive interruption to a Protestant, 'liberal' and successful course in English history. Certainly Mary's popular image has been affected by negative judgements such as Pollard's, exemplified by the legend of 'Bloody Mary'. Yet more recent and closer analysis Mary's religious, economic, and foreign policy suggest that her short reign was more productive than Pollard gives her credit for. An assessment of Mary's reign requires an understanding of secondary debate between earlier and later historians, as well as approaching the primary evidence. S.T. Bindoff, Pollard's pupil, asserted that Marian England was 'politically bankrupt, spiritually impoverished, and economically archaic.' But since the early 1990s, historians such as Eamon Duffy and David Loades have led a revisionist charge to view Mary's achievements more positively. There is plenty of evidence at parish level, including voluntary monetary contributions from ordinary people and church visitations, to suggest that her restoration of the Catholic faith wasn't sterile and therefore may have been successful if she had lived. Her government provided financial stability unlike her father, not only with Reginald Pole's reforms to church administration but also policies such as the Muscovy Act to improve trading. In foreign policy, despite her loss of Calais and relatively unpopular marriage to Philip, Mary's marriage never put England at risk of Spanish annexation and Tudor England resisted any attempt at invasion. Perhaps most importantly, Mary's campaign in 1553 to gain power in the first place was the only successful revolt against central government in 16th century England. Thus, Mary re-established the legitimacy of the Tudor succession. Even if just for this, Elizabeth should be greatly in her debt. 

Answered by Liam L. History tutor

4626 Views

See similar History A Level tutors

Related History A Level answers

All answers ▸

'The most important reason for the outbreak of a general European war was Germany's 'blank cheque' to Austria-Hungary.' Explain why you agree or disagree with this view of developments in 1914.


“Between 1547 and 1558 England was torn apart by religious revolution” Discuss


‘How far was the English Civil War caused by religious divisions in English society.’ Refer to the period 1509-1642 in your answer.


Do you agree with the view that the most important changes in the 1530s were in the creation of the Royal Supremacy rather than in religious belief? Explain your answer, using Sources 4, 5 and 6 and your own knowledge. (40)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy