Biblical References in Tudor England Propaganda

In social media today it is common to see memes that reference to political persons as characters in modern movies and television. In the western European past, it was often Biblical stories that people would reference too. Henry VIII was considered a new Hezekiah. In one situation Anne Boleyn was portrayed as Esther. We look at these and other examples. We'll discuss the Bible stories, the Tudor characters, and what argument was being made by the comparisons. In this way students will learn about the political debates taking place in Tudor England.

Although I will provide short descriptions of each of the kings or queens we discuss, this class will be most meaningful to those who already know a little about King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Queen Elizabeth I.

No background knowledge of the Bible is necessary. We will be discussing the Bible as a work of literature, meaningful to those people who referenced to it. We will be discussing their religious beliefs as it pertained to the political issues of Tudor England.