OCR GCSE History A (Explaining the Modern World) British depth study with historic environment: The English Reformation c.1520-c.1550 + Castles: form and function c.1000-1750 June 2025 question paper J410/12

Explain why there were uprisings against Henry VIII and Edward VI’s religious policies between

1534 and 1550.

Explain how Kenilworth Castle changed between c.1500 and c.1750.

Study Sources D and E.

Which of these sources is more useful to a historian studying the history of Kenilworth Castle

between c.1250 and c.1500?

Source D

A description of the 1266 siege of Kenilworth Castle. This description is from a chronicle that was written by William of Rishanger, a monk from the south of England. The chronicle was published around 40 years after the siege.

A chronicle is a history book.

The King called together his army so that he could seize his inheritance by besieging the castle of Kenilworth. Siege machines and large stone-throwers were set up, and the castle was bombarded repeatedly. A wooden siege tower of remarkable height and width was prepared for Prince Edmund. It was attached to the wall with great skill, and inside it were many archers and crossbowmen, all ready to inflict great losses on the enemy. Another extremely impressive tower was called ‘the Bear’ because of its great size. It contained several divisions of men and had its own stone-thrower attached.

Barges were even brought at great expense over land from the North so that an attack could be launched across the Mere. However, this attack failed. Likewise, plans to undermine the walls were too difficult to put into action.

Source E

A recent photograph of the remains of the east side of the Great Hall and the cellars beneath it.