Instructions

Read the two tasks below. Use your knowledge of the reigns of Edward VI and Mary I to complete the creative writing exercises. Think about how ordinary people might have felt during this time of great religious change and turmoil.

1. Newspaper Report

During the reign of Queen Mary I, hundreds of Protestants were executed for their faith, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary." Imagine you are a secret Protestant reporter writing for an underground newspaper.

Write a short article for the headline below, describing the public execution of a Protestant martyr. Try to include details about the scene, the crowd, and the bravery of the person being condemned.

2. Diary Entry

King Edward VI, a devout Protestant, made huge changes to the Church of England. Services were held in English for the first time, and churches were stripped of their decorations.

Imagine you are a villager in the year 1550. Write a diary entry describing your first time attending a church service under these new rules. How is it different from the old Catholic service you grew up with? How do you feel about the changes?

Answer Key

Please note: As these are creative writing tasks, answers will vary. The points below are a guide to what a good answer should include.

1. Newspaper Report

A good article should include several of the following points:

• Mention of the victim being a Protestant and the charge being heresy (going against the Catholic faith).
• A description of the execution method: burning at the stake.
• Details about the victim's behaviour, such as being brave, praying, or refusing to recant (take back their beliefs).
• A description of the crowd's reaction – some might be horrified and sympathetic, while others might be shouting insults.
• Use of dramatic and emotive language to reflect the shocking nature of the event.
• Example sentence: "Despite the offer of a Queen's pardon if he would only recant, the former bishop held fast to his faith, declaring he was a martyr for the true gospel as the flames licked at his feet."

2. Diary Entry

A good diary entry should describe the Protestant changes and express a personal opinion. Key points to mention could include:

• The church service is now in English instead of Latin, using the new Book of Common Prayer. For the first time, ordinary people could understand everything being said.
• The inside of the church looks plain and bare. The colourful statues of saints have been removed, and wall paintings have been whitewashed.
• The rich, decorated stone altar has been replaced by a simple wooden table.
• The priest wears very simple robes, not the elaborate, colourful vestments of the old Catholic service.
• The writer’s feelings could be mixed: perhaps they are happy to finally understand the service, but sad that the familiar and beautiful decorations are gone, making the church feel cold or empty.
• Example sentence: "It was wonderful to understand the Lord's Prayer in my own tongue, but I confess I miss the comforting face of the statue of the Virgin Mary. The church feels so bare now, as if its soul has been stripped away."