The Prince

1. Oliverotto da Fermo would be the most successful in the modern world at running a business. In his time he was able form his own government and declare himself the prince. He did this when he “rode up and down the town and besieged the chief magistrate in the palace” (Machiavelli) causing fear in many people. These people obeyed him out of fear which was why he was able to become the prince of his government. In modern society this may not have worked as well as it did back in his time because the public would have reacted differently. The fear he caused within the people would stay the same though, which is why he would have been successful in the mafia. In the mafia force, fear, and power are important and Oliverotto would be able to take advantage of these three things. He rode on horseback and was able to get what he wanted out of anger by force. The fear was a product of this force which would follow in the majority of people because it is a natural human emotion. These two things would only increase his power in the mafia as his own allies would turn to him and strengthen his power as more forceful acts were done.

2. The prince’s greatest ally is the citizens of his ruling area. There are two types of people, commoners and the nobles. A prince who is put in power by the people is far more likely to succeed than one put in power by the nobles. The nobles would put a prince in place because they cannot control the people easily. This prince will not have the people on his side because he was put in place to oppress them. Also, the nobles will be much harder to please than the common people, and they will be more dishonest as they try to gain power for themselves. If a prince is put in power by the people, he has a better chance of staying in power. The people will go along with his decisions better and be easier to please. They will be easy to please because they will feel more important than they would to a prince who was elected by the nobles, even if he were to treat them well. “A prince created by the people must retain the people’s friendship, a fairly easy task. A prince created by the nobles must still try to win over the people’s affection” (Machiavelli). This shows that a prince who has been allied by the people and chosen will have an easy road than one who has not been.

3. Machiavelli thinks that generosity is a good thing in some situations, but in others it can hurt the prince. A prince who tries to be to generous can end up losing some of his power. Machiavelli explains that for a prince to be generous he fist has to be selfish. A prince who wants to give money to the poorest people would first have to raise taxes to obtain the money. This would cause bad reactions because of the high taxes so generosity would not be a good thing in that situation. A prince who is known for his generosity is a bad prince according to Machiavelli because he will deplete all of his recourses (Machiavelli). On the other hand, a prince who is at first frugal with his money and recourses, will be able to become known as generous as he can use his saved money to help the poor, without taxing them unjustly. Machiavelli basically believes that generosity can lead to the downfall of a prince, is self-defeating, and will eventually lead to hatred of the prince over time.

4. Machiavelli’s book tells a prince how to be a successful ruler by being forceful and brutal. The Beatitudes are the word of God and disagree completely with Machiavelli. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 New International Version). When someone is meek, they are not forceful and demanding as Machiavelli says a prince should be. A person who is meek is humble and patient, not someone who wants the upmost power and goes out and tries to gain it, as Machiavelli thinks a prince should. “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 New International Version). The Beatitudes stated that those who are merciful and care for the well being of others will be shown mercy back. Machiavelli says that a prince may never be merciful because his enemies will take advantage of him, but God wants people to love their enemies as their neighbors and they will receive the greatest gift, a spot in Heaven. While Machiavelli thinks that a perfect prince must be a power fiend, hungering for more and more power, destroying his enemies, listing to the Beatitudes is what is necessary. The Beatitudes are Gods words written down and if they are followed, then the prince will have eternal happiness in the Kingdom of God. If he is to follow Machiavelli, all of what he worked for and got unjustly will be taken when his mortal life is ended.

5. The Beatitudes want people to follow God’s word and strive to be perfect. As only God himself can be perfect, Machiavelli focuses on other things. Machiavelli wants the prince to strive to be as powerful as he can be, not as holy as he can be. By doing this the prince will be the best he can be, which is the main goal for a prince in his life time. The Beatitudes say “blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 New International Version) but Machiavelli’s wants the prince to focus on his royal kingdom. If a prince does this he will be a better ruler than one who listens to the Beatitudes because a prince who listens to them will be a weak ruler. “I say, therefore, that the arms with which a prince defends his state are either his own, or they are mercenaries, auxiliaries, or mixed.” (Machiavelli). Here he is saying that the prince only needs himself and his allies, not God to be successful in what his job is. His job is to be a good ruler, not a religious man patiently waiting for a Kingdom he will never rule. The early birds gets the worm and a go getter type of prince that Machiavelli tells princes to be is the best king of prince that there possibly is.

Machiavelli, N. (1532). The Prince. Florence: Antonio Blado d'Asola. .

Henry Tudor

Henry VIII was justified in making himself the head of the English Church. He separated from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England; therefore he should be the head. Henry was not justified in divorcing Catherine for the reason she could not give him a son. There was no legitimate reason for him to be able to divorcer her because it is the male who determines the sex of a child born to them. Therefore, Henry was justified only in making himself the head of his own church, but not in divorcing his wife.

The pope would not grant an annulment for Henry and his wife, upsetting Henry. Henry had to marriage annulled by one of his men, Thomas Cranmer, instead of the pope. He was excommunicated from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England. He was the King so therefore making himself the head of the Church was justified. He was an all powerful ruler who had supremacy over his subjects, making his decision to become head of the church a justified decision.

Henry had six wives in his time of reign. Catherine his first wife was unable to give him a male heir to the throne. He set his sights on Anne Boleyn, a younger women who he had hopes would give him a son. He obviously had committed adultery because by the time his marriage to Catherine was annulled, Anne was noticeably pregnant. This makes his decision unjustified and unmoral because he cheated on his wife, and had no legitimate reason of why she should no longer be his wife.

Henry was not able to produce a male heir with Catherine and knew that he needed one to keep the Tudor name in power. The only way he figured to get a male heir was to divorcer her and try with a new wife. He did not have her murder but had her sent away after the marriage was annulled so he could marry Anne, who also was unable to give him a male heir. The Church of England was a protestant church and England became protestant during his reign. He wanted his heir to be able to keep England protestant.

Henry was unjustified in divorcing his wife because she did not do anything of treason or adultery. He was justified in making himself the head of the church after being excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Henry was able to finally have a male heir but he died while he was the King when he was twelve years old. Henry was not able to be justified in divorcing his wife which is why the pope would not annul the marriage and had him excommunicated. He was still justified after he was already excommunicated from the other church so that was a justifiable action.

Thomas Wolsey

Thomas Wolsey was born in the years between 1471- or 1475 and died on 29 November 1530. He was an English political figure and cardinal of the Roman Catholic church. Thomas' main legacy is from his interest in architecture in particular his old home of Hampton Court palace which still stands today. He became an archbishop of York and held the second most important seat in England. He started send letters to princes and orators in Rome reproaching the king. After a year, the king finally had enough and order the cardinal to be arrested. The King then order Sir William Kingston Knight to bring the cardinal to the Abby of Leicester. Here, Thomas Wolsey was weak and ill and subsequently died on the second night there.

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/priwols1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wolsey

Anne Boleyn

It is unknown when exactly Anne Boleyn was born, but now most historians agree that it was in 1499. Anne spent her childhood in France, and returned to England in 1521. She was not a ravishing beauty, even with her long dark hair and dark brown eyes that looked almost black. However, she used her looks to her advantage, and even got the king to notice her. She refused to be his mistress—she would only settle for being his wife. However, Henry VIII was married to Katherine of Aragon at the time, and the Church refused to let him divorce her. However, Henry broke from the Church, and they were married in 1533. Sadly, Anne was unable to bear a son, and Henry, growing impatient, found another mistress. Anne was then charges with incest, treason, and adultery, locked in the Tower, and finally executed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Boleyn

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/boleyn.html

http://www.tudorhistory.org/boleyn/

Some Primary Sources

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/letters.html

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/ab-percy.html

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/prianne1.html

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/prianne2.html

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/exanne.html

Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon was born on December 16, 1485 and died on January 7, 1536. She was the first wife of Henry VIII. First she was married to Prince Arthur but he died within a few months of major and so she married his brother, King Henry. Henry and Catherine had a daughter together, Mary. Henry divorced her so he could marry Anne Boleyn. When Henry divorced Catherine she was banished from the court. She was forced to live in small castles and had very few servants. She died three weeks after her fiftieth birthday.

used sources: http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/aragon.html

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/letters.html

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/letter2.html

Part 3: Poems

Richard III

I was brother to Edward IV,[1]

It was not him who split from the Church for a divorce,

When Edward died I became guardian of Edward’s sons,

I had them both locked away in the tower[2] which is no fun.

I was crowned in 1483[3] instead of Edward V heir to the throne,

Because into the tower he was thrown[4].

I refused gifts of cash, preferring the people’s goodwill [5]

I hoped with the people this would go over well.

In the year 1484 I reestablished Council of the North which lasted for a century and a half,

I established the College of Arms which had not been established in the past [6]

In 18 months I lost his brother, son, and wife [7]

This put my heart through great strife.

I was the last member of the House of York to be a King,

I was killed by Henry Tudor and his army in summer[8] not spring.

My reign lasted for 2 years until 1485[9]

When I was slain before he had time to cry.

I was only 32 when I was killed in war[10]

But it was my time and death knocked at the door.

Henry Tudor became King and ended to Plantagenet reign[11]

Things in England would never be the same

---

[1]http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[2] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[3] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[4] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[5] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[6] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[7] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[8]http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[9] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[10] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

[11] http://www.richard111.com/Biography%20on%20King%20Richard%20III.htm

Henry Tudor

Born on 28 January 1457 was I[1]

My name is Henry VII

I was the first King in the Tudor dynasty[2]

I took reign after Richard III was killed in battle

Because I declared myself King[3]

His death ended the War of the Roses

At the battle of Bosworth Field

I married Elizabeth of York[4]

I spent most of my life in exile [5]

Until the battle that changed my life

The house of York had lost power

When I can to power

The house of Lancaster had been long gone

And the Tudor’s had all the power.

I increased our government’s effectiveness[6]

I restored the power

Over English nobility[7]

But things got tough in later years of my reign

When my wife died

I was saddened so deeply

I died myself in 1509[8]My 18 year old son was my successor when I passed

My reign lasting 24 years

From 1458 to 1509[9]

I tried what I could to help my people

My time as King may have ended

But the Tudor reign would continue

For years to come

---

[1] http://englishhistory.net/tudor/hobit.html

[2] http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[3] http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[4]http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[5] http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[6]http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[7] http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[8] http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/war_of_roses.html

[9] http://www.warsoftheroses.com/royalty.cfm

Part 2: Richard III: Fact and Fiction

Why did Shakespeare portray Richard III the way he did? He portrayed Richard III the way he did because in his play he was the villain. Richard is thought that he may have murdered his two nephews in the tower and Shakespeare went with the evil portrayal of Richard.

Traditionalist- Conservative views. Looks at things the traditional way.

Revisionist-

Lancatrian- Supporting the House of Lancaster.

Ricardian- People wanting to restore the view people have on Richard III.