Educating the Tudors

Educating the Tudors written by Amy McElroy and published by Pen & Sword Books - £20 - Hardback - Pages 216

Education during the Tudor era was a privilege and took many forms including

schools, colleges and apprenticeships. Those responsible for delivering education

came from a variety of backgrounds from the humble parish priest to the most

famed poet-laureates of the day. Curriculums varied according to wealth, gender

and geography. The wealthy could afford the very best of tutors and could study

as much or as little as they chose whilst the poorer members of society could only

grasp at opportunities in the hopes of providing themselves with a better future.

The Tudors were educated during a time when the Renaissance was sweeping across Europe and Henry VIII became known as a Renaissance Prince but what did his education consist of? Who were his tutors? How did his education differ to that of his elder brother, Prince Arthur and how did Henry’s education change upon the death of his brother? There is no doubt Henry was provided with an excellent education, particularly in comparison to his sisters, Margaret and Mary. Henry’s own education would go on to influence his decisions of tutors for his own children. Who had the privilege of teaching Henry’s children and did they dare to use corporal punishment?

Educating the Tudors seeks to answer all of these questions, delving into the education of all classes, the subjects they studied, educational establishment and those who taught them.

Educating the Tudors is a thorough look into the educational world of the Tudors, looking at the subjects that were taught, types of schooling, lessons and even those teaching various subjects. Amy McElroy writes a very comprehensive and detailed book that even looks at the education of the royal family at the time. McElroy writes such a good book it would be good to see what she writes next and whether it will be about education from another age. In a way, it was very interesting to see the different types of education and how the teaching of the poor and rich was very different. A really interesting and thorough book that would really appeal to those in the educational world.