Do Schools Kill Creativity Essay - 3645 Words

Lindsey Claire Galt Dr. Lee March American Government October 3, 2012 Do Schools Kill Creativity? If you search almost anywhere on the internet about creativity and public schools you will run into a video by a man named Sir Ken Robinson. He emphasizes that schools kill creativity in every way. On the other hand, President Barack Obama disagrees whole heartedly. Both of these men agree that creativity is important to children and schools but they disagree on whether or not creativity is being implemented in schools. Robinson stated in his lectured at TED 2006, â€Å"I believe this passionately, that we don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Or rather, we get educated out of it† (Ken Robinson. TED2006). He goes to say that†¦show more content†¦Once they hit about third grade the standardized tests start to take over and creativity is suppressed to make room for all of the facts that children must memorize to pass the exams. There are negatives and positives about this. The 2004 New York State Education Department’s policy brief stated that the positive effects of high stakes exams were that they â€Å"provide students with clear info about their own skills, motivate students to work harder in school, send clearer messages to students about what to study and help students associate ad align personal efforts with rewards†. The negative effects were that high stakes exams â€Å"frustrate students and discourage them from trying, make students more competitive, and cause students to devalue grades and assessments†. These tests put a lot of pressure on the students as well as the teachers and they are so stressed out about making the scores that they need to keep their jobs and schools that other things like creativity and individualism are lost (New York State Education Department 9-12) The goals of education are controversial and not many people can agree on what they are. A commonly shared opinion of the â€Å"purpose of education is to prepare students for the â€Å"real world† to â€Å"succeed†Ã¢â‚¬ . Children are constantly being prepared for the workforce and what willShow MoreRelatedDo Schools Kill Creativity?979 Words   |  4 Pageson happiness. Only the person who has vitality has creativity. That is the law can’t be violated. The reason why less people can become a leading creator is education. Every parents send their children to school in order to get better education. They think teacher can find children talent, and explore ability. However, they can’t! In the video â€Å"do schools kill creativity?† presented by Ken Robinson. He argues that school need to focus on creativity which the education system should be focusing onRead MoreDo Schools Kill Creativity1260 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Do Schools Kill Creativity? TED is a non-profit organization that serves to present ideas that are worth spreading through strong rhetoric and persuasive appeals. In his eminent Ted Talk, Sir Ken Robinson discusses how public education systems today disregard creativity as an important component within the academic growth of students. Robinson focuses on the importance of creativity by creating a variety of arguments, which persuades the audience to take action upon this heavily ignored issueRead MoreDo Schools Kill Creativity?897 Words   |  4 Pages Do Schools Kill Creativity? On October 7, 2015, I watched the TED Talk of Sir Kenneth Robinson, (author, speaker and international advisor on education). He claimed, â€Å"There have been three themes running through the conference... One is the extraordinary evidence of human creativity†¦and in all of the people here. Just the variety of it....The second is that it s put us in a place where we have no idea what s going to happen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Specifically, he claimed that creativity lies in everyRead MoreAnalysis Of Do Schools Kill Creativity By Ken Robinsons Speech709 Words   |  3 Pages Speech Midterm Essay Ken Robinson’s, â€Å"Do Schools Kill Creativity,† is the most viewed video on Ted Talks, and arguably rightfully so. Robinson effectively employs various techniques in his speech to maintain the attention of the audience while effectively delivering his message and spreading his ideals unto the audience. From beginning to end, Robinson has the audience’s complete attention. Just as he starts off his speech, he already has the audience roaring in laughter. Robinson employs humorRead MoreSir Ken Robinson s Ted Talk : Do Schools Kill Creativity?972 Words   |  4 PagesSir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk â€Å"Do Schools Kill Creativity?† wonderfully describes the many decade old failures of our education system in the United States. Robinson presentation passionately broke down how today’s educational system is still based off of the original factory industrialized model of education created in the Industrial age. ( Robinson, 2006) During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century the Industrial age fostered the Industrial economy, with this new robust economy, thereRead MoreAnalysis Of Sir Ken RobinsonDo Schools Kill Creativity?784 Words   |  4 Pages Sir Ken Robinson Do Schools Kill Creativity? Many people today have the right to be heard on what they say. Also, there are some people that should keep their mouth shut. The question is what gives a person the right to be heard or no be heard. Today, this essay is going to focus on a Ted Talk that had Sir Ken Robinson talks about the question; do schools kill creativity? If you are currently in school you are going to give the obvious answer of yes, a little piece of me dies every day inRead MorePersuasive Essay On School Uniforms723 Words   |  3 Pageswear uniforms, they have evidently been misled. Uniforms kill individuality and creativity, are too expensive for some, and can lower both self-esteem and performance of students in school. Many critics are bringing to light the crisis of dropping individuality and creativity; we cannot afford let it plummet any further. School uniforms destroy diversity and kill courage, on top of preventing individual student expression. In addition, school uniforms provide an almost jail like state of conformityRead MoreIs Creativity Becoming Endangered?1271 Words   |  6 Pagestrusted and loved most, school. It is widely acknowledge that creativity is becoming endangered in America; this is so because the American education system is strict and regulated, allowing for little wriggle room for creativity. Many people wonder if schools should teach creativity, however, that is impossible. Creativity is the unique way of thinking and expressing ideas, thus it is impossible to teach. Nonetheless, schools need creativity and can help boost it in their schools by supporting the artsRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of How Schools Kill Creativity By Ken Robinson1205 Words   |  5 PagesRh etorical Analysis: â€Å"How Schools Kill Creativity† by Ken Robinson Creativity is equally as important as literacy, and we need to start treating it that way in schools around the world. According to Ken Robinson’s claim in his, â€Å"How Schools Kill Creativity† speech, he believes this to be exceptionally true. All children are creative and talented, however, we have grown up in a world where we believe that it’s wrong to exemplify our creativity. Robinson uses both, pathos, and ethos to help make hisRead MoreOur Education System Is Killing Creativity Essay1090 Words   |  5 Pages WHERE DOES CREATIVITY COME FROM? It is often said that the creative adult is the child that survived, implying that there was some kind of death that occurred along the way. Logic knows what I had yet to figure out in leaving university; creativity cannot exist in solidarity. I cannot wake up one day and decide, â€Å"I will be creative without the preceding training and skills that are crucial to the creative process.† Dr. Larry Dossey, a physician of internal medicine says it as so: â€Å"Someone who

The Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare - 932 Words

To be a hero it was meant that you were a great warrior, but still have the values of being kind and modest. Before Beowulf arrived to Herot he was known for his heroism, which was shown again and again during the fight with Grendel, the fight with Grendel’s mother, and his final battle with the dragon. While his heroism was shown at each of these events, there were changes in his heroic nature over time. Regardless of these changes, he was still seen as the mighty hero throughout the epic poem of Beowulf. As Beowulf was making his voyage to Herot from Geatland to help fight Grendel, the Dane’s already knew of his heroic nature and how amazing he truly was. He was brave and courageous, doing many things that others wouldn’t dare do in their right minds. He was incredibly strong unlike any other man, and was the son of Ecgtheow, the King of Geats. â€Å"There was no one else like him alive. / In his day, he was the mightiest man on Earth, / highborn and powerful. † (Beowulf ll, 196-198). He was a legend of his time and for many after that. As a leader of the warriors, he was well respected for his bravery. â€Å"The man whose name was known for courage, / the Geat leader, resolute in his helmet, / answered in return:† (Beowulf ll, 340-342). His heroic nature before arriving was seen as a strong, brave and powerful; a warrior ready for any battle he was thrown into. This type of heroic nature continued through his battle with Grendel in the mead hall. â€Å"Mighty and canny, / Hygelac’sShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1549 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf is one of the earliest and most famous works of English literature, and is still widely read today. However, over a thousand years has passed since it was written down in England, and even longer since it was originally spread by word of mouth in the old norse lands, and our values and concepts of the world are radically different than the people of Beowulf’s age. Although the epic Beowulf shows their concept of simplistic duality, in which there is only black and white, good and evil, theRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare939 Words   |  4 Pageswithout actually writing things down. These epics would be passed from one another through verbal communication and were based around different aspects of life for a someone of Anglo-Saxon descent. The story Beowulf is a perfect example of how Anglo-Saxons based their stories around their beliefs on how a hero should behave. Around the time the story was first told, people were often terrified of the horrible things in the world. The character Beowulf was built around how a hero would be representedRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare977 Words   |  4 Pageslooking at a culture’s epic tales and heroes one can get an insight to the culture’s values and traits that are noble to them. Beowulf, as an epic hero, is a direct repres entation of the ideal man as seen through Anglo-Saxon eyes. In looking at the poem Beowulf and analyzing the characteristics of the epic hero, it will become evident the desired attributes that were desired in the Anglo-Saxon culture: physical strength, pride, bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. An epic hero is a person thatRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare953 Words   |  4 PagesBeowulf is one of the most well known pieces of literature in history. Written between 700 and 1000 AD, this poem has captured the minds of scholars, historians, and readers across the globe. However, despite the fact that it has been passed down for numerous centuries, perhaps one of its most fascinating characteristics are the intriguing battles that Beowulf, the protagonist, takes on. Throughout this epic poem, Beowulf takes on many battles, all of which are practically unwinnable. Each battleRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1549 Words   |  7 PagesBeowulf is one of the earliest and most famous works of English literature, and is still widely read today. However, over a thousand years has passed since it was written down in England, and even longer since it was originally spread by word of mouth in the old Norse lands, and our values and concepts of th e world are radically different than the people of Beowulf’s age. Although the epic Beowulf shows their concept of simplistic duality, in which there is only black and white, good and evil, theRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare935 Words   |  4 Pageshis life for the good of others , well Beowulf was both. In the novel Beowulf , to me, the main theme of the entire story is heroism. Beowulf is your knight in shining armor or your fire fighter who goes into a living hell to save a kitten. Heroism is scattered all over this epic poem. Sure paganism and christianity are in it as well as good vs evil but they are not as i would say the backbone of Beowulf. to prove my opinion I shall gather quotes from the epic novel would strongly aid the fact thatRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1176 Words   |  5 Pagesbeen nearly fifteen movies that were made after â€Å"Beowulf†. It may be due to the fact that â€Å"Beowulf† is one of th e most famous epic poems in the English Literature history. It is also the oldest surviving epic poem to date. â€Å"Beowulf† was written in 10000 AD in Old English by an author who remains unknown. In â€Å"Beowulf†, there are many important literary elements that help empathize the main motif of the poem. The motif of this poem is courage. Beowulf is about courage and it is shown through the charactersRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1401 Words   |  6 PagesAnglo-Saxon focus qualities. A champion amongst the most prestigious works from that time period is Beowulf. The story tells us of how one man, Beowulf, sails to the rescue of King Hrothgar and his kinfolk remembering the final objective to extra them from a horrifying beast that is undermining their lives and additionally their way of life. The warrior Beowulf without a doubt demonstrates characteristics of an epic legend through valor, dedication, generosity, family relationship, accomplishi ng somethingRead MoreThe Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1836 Words   |  8 PagesBeowulf is one in a sea of many epic poems exemplifying battle, glory, great leaders, and, inevitably, death. Classic plot lines have followed the general flow of such stories from exposition to conflict to resolution, the majoity thriving off of a hero-villan mentality. The battle between good and evil has been perpetuated throughout history in literature and story. The media today suffers from the clear segregation of right and wrong just as much as society did in the days that Beowulf was firstRead MoreThe Heroes Of The Epic Of Beowulf By William Shakespeare1292 Words   |  6 PagesEpics consists of benevolent or disastrous intervention from the supernatural world, and the superhuman capabilities that the heroes and antiheroes occupy. Tales like these represent the characteristics of what heroes are considered to be during the time they were written; however, they follow a specific formula , namely that the Gods intervene in the lives of the hero and, that the hero is burdened with a tragic flaw. In Virgil’s Aeneid, it is Aeneas’ dangerous disobedience to the ordinances of the

Carmen Rezendes’s Spring Break Is This a True Story Free Essays

Is this a true story? The passage I read called â€Å"Spring Break† by Carmen Resends states a lot of dramatic events in the story in detail. This could be a true story because of how detailed and on point the author is when she describes her experience. Resends tells the exact date of when the experience happened, â€Å"March 21, 2007† she stated. We will write a custom essay sample on Carmen Rezendes’s Spring Break: Is This a True Story? or any similar topic only for you Order Now She is pretty much telling the reader that she will never forget this date cause of the events that happened In the canyon. When the she knew she was not on the correct trail anymore I could only Imagine what she felt like because that feeling when you know you messed up Is one of the worst feelings In the world. When your staring death In the face, I feel Like you need to find some way to survive as any means necessary. Resends stated in the ninth paragraph that if she kept shivering she knew she was going to be okay even though hypothermia plays a big factor. I love how she did not give up on herself. When you set your mind to omitting, in this case which is â€Å"survive† and reach the road. Once that registers in your mind you will be fine and she was. Nominal 2 In conclusion, people could look at her experience as a fiction or real. I feel like It Is real because of how detailed she is making the canyon and all the events sound Like she was actually there even If there Is a chance she was not. I believe she was because she out on exact date and how she handled herself during the experience. Carmen Responder’s Spring Break: Is This a True Story? By salvageable cause of the events that happened in the canyon. When the she knew she was not on the correct trail anymore I could only imagine what she felt like because that feeling when you know you messed up is one of the worst feelings in the world. When your staring death in the face, I feel like you need to find some way to In conclusion, people could look at her experience as a fiction or real. I feel like it is real because of how detailed she is making the canyon and all the events sound like she was actually there even if there is a chance she was not. I believe she was How to cite Carmen Rezendes’s Spring Break: Is This a True Story?, Papers

The Evolutionary Arms free essay sample

What unusual adaptation does the rough-skinned newt have? 2. The common garter snake is able to prey on the rough-skinned newt. Does it suffer any ill effects? 3. Is there any disadvantage of the snakes having resistance to the toxins? Antibiotic-Resistant Tuberculosis 4. Are micro-organisms predators? Explain. 5. What discovery gave humans an advantage over bacteria? 6. What does tuberculosis do in the body when active? How does tuberculosis spread from person-to-person? 8. Explain the events that led to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant TB in the prisoner. . How are prisons ideal incubators for multi-drug resistant TB? 10. Why aren’t second-line antibiotics available for use in the prisons? 11. One of the scientists describes multi-drug resistance as a â€Å"man-made problem†. How are they over-used? AIDS and FIDS 12. What normally-fatal disease is found in nearly every wild cat in the world? 13. This disease is considered to be non-lethal in wild cats. What is the proposed explanation for this? 14. About 10% of Caucasians are immune or resistant to HIV. We will write a custom essay sample on The Evolutionary Arms or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What event occurred in Europe that may have created selective pressure for this trait? Give one example of mutualistic symbiosis. 17. Describe the relationship between the Atta leaf-cutter ants and the fungus they cultivate. 18. What pest invades the fungus gardens that the ants maintain? 19. Why don’t the fungus gardens develop resistance to the bacterial antibiotic? Allergies and Asthma 20. In the study of asthma rates of children living in the Bavarian countryside, what factor seemed to lower the rates the most? 21. Do you think it is unnatural or unhealthy to expect to live in a germ-free world?

buy custom White Collar Criminal essay

buy custom White Collar Criminal essay Introduction This is the paper seeks to look into the high profile white collar criminal, Jeffrey skilling. Skilling was accused of many crimes including fraud, inside trading and crimes that were related to the collapse of Enron Corporation. He was found to be guilty of inside trading, conspiracy, making false statements to auditors and securities fraud. What sentence did Jeffrey Skillings initially receive? Jeffrey Skillings was sentenced to 24 years in prison at the initial sentence. He was sentenced for substantially jeopardizing the safety of a reputable financial institution. However, this was improper since there was no substantial evidence that Enron Corporation was a financial institution. The other initial sentenced that Jeffrey Skilings was sentenced for fraud, inside trading and crimes that were related to the collapse of Enron Corporation. He was sentenced in 2006 and is currently servicing a 24 year sentence for these charges. Jeffrey Skilling was sentenced and convicted on 19 to 28 counts of fraud and inside trading. He was not only sentenced to 24 years in prison but was also ordered to pay $630 million to the Government and a $ 180 fine on the same. A number of other employees pleaded guilty for the crimes committed at Enron Corporation and were found guilty and convicted for the crimes and giving false statements. Was this sentence appropriate for the crime or the harm done? This question has been asked by many people and answered by the same in different aspects but none of them seem to agree on whether or not the sentence was appropriate. Other people were in support of the sentence while others were against the sentence. According to many analyst, this sentence was an exaggeration or too much for such a petty crime. The indictments were basically on the fact that Stilling had probable knowledge of , and was likely involved with the fraudulent transactions with Enron Corporation. He was alleged to have sold shares with inside information on the status of Enron Corporation bankruptcy .Many people including Skillings attorneys protested against the in house court proceedings, citing that it would be an unfair trial but their protests fell on deaf ears. This is because an in house court sitting would not allow maximum media coverage. According to the wall street journal, on 17th June 2006, Skilling claimed that Enrons bankruptcy had affected him immensely to the extent of contemplating to commit suicide, he commented that the indictment had lifted his spirits and got him out of his depression. Many analysts wonder if this was true or simply a way to attract pity from the prosecution and judges. There are many aspects in this case that did not make sense, and many analysts wonder and ask if it was a fair trial. This is because most of Skillings requests were denied, including his request to remain free during the trial. This case was treated so harshly, it was worse that a murder trial. Many questions have emerged and many wonder if there was an underlying reason for such a harsh sentence apart from those that killings was initially accused of. This trial was not fair and the sentence was not appropriate for this crime at all. A sentence of 24 years and four months in prison for conspiracy, inside trading, making false statement to auditors and fraud is on the higher side. It was actually noted as serious frailties which ws not fair. However other analyst believes that this sentence was not enough for the crimes that Skillings committed, they suggest that the correct sentence would have been 35 years for all the 35 counts that he was accused of. They also attributed this sentence to Skillings wrong doing which needed maximum punishment. Jeffrey skilling was proved guilty for these crimes, which he denied being part of. The court proceedings were not fair on Skillings side. It was like attending a court that already knew the verdict before hearing of the case. The Government determined that the ruling was appropriate. Many readers and the people who carefully followed the Skilling case, found Skillings conviction ridiculous , they insisted that the punishment far outweighed the crimes that were committed. Some readers suggested that such a hard punishment was good in order to teach others like Skilling. Others actually thought that the sentence was too light and they suggested that for such a crime Skillings was better off getting a death penalty. However, the question is, does deception and corruption deserve a death penalty? How many people around the world are guilty of deception and corruption? Are they being sentenced for their crimes? Take for example; the politicians who are corrupt and deceptive? Have they ever been sentenced for this crime? It is therefore crystal clear that Skillings did not deserve such a conviction for a crime of corruption and deception. What was the outcome of the sentence in this case? In 2008, Jeffrey Skilling case was reviewed and quite a number of inconsistencies were discovered. The case was therefore reopened. Skillings attorneys argued that even if Skillings committed fraud or illegal financial misconduct, it was for the of purpose saving the company and he never profited from the gains. However, this approach provided a very narrow chance the killings original case ruling to be overturned. Analyst believe that Skillings only chance was to cite a court decision that threw out guilty verdicts of the three bankers that were accused of helping Skillings and Enron Corporation in committing the fraudulent activities. In 2010, the court of appeal finally agreed to listen to Skillings appeal on two controversial cases. The first case was based on the fraud statue title 18 of the United States code, section 1946.The main question that was put forward by Skillings defense team was on whether or not the honest servicerequred the Governments prove that was initially intended to achieve private gain. This simply means that the question was whether or not the Skillings involvement in the fraudulent activities of Enron Corporation was because of a honest service and not for private gain. The second argument was based on the issued on in house judging. The questions was how can we be satisfied that a fair jury was picked when the judge did not follow up when the witness said, am a victim of this crime?The Supreme Court made a ruling that saw the nullification of Skilling honest service fraud conviction. The court found that Skillings conviction had no grounds or justifications on bribe or kick back. The c ase was therefore ordered back to the lower courts for the review of the charges. Skillings defense team was however optimistic that the lower courts would have no option but to overturn the rulings. They were optimistic that soon Jeffrey Skilling would be a free man. That is yet to be seen, many peoplle, analyst and those who are affected by similar cases are patiently awaiting the final ruling of the lower courts. The ruling will defiantly set a precedent on all other similar cases. The case could however, take a turn for the worst if the lower case ruling does not over turn the judgment. In such a case analyst see a scenario that could mean or lead to a reduced charge of 15 to 20 years. Skillings defendants have stated that if this happens, they will be forced to go back to the appeal courts. This means that the sentenced was not completely reversed but was partially reversed on appeal. What is the comparison between the first outcomes of Skilling case to the fate of criminal defendants who were convicted? The United States court of appeal ruling will have a great impact and will greatly affect the fates of criminal defendants who are convicted. The high court will have to address the confusion on whether honest service will apply or will not apply. This case is more likely to be sent back to the circuit courts in order to reconsider. This hones stature argument will probably be used by many defenders and prosecutors on criminals who are convicted on the same grounds. The Supreme Court ruling simply said that the judgment of this case went too far. This could mean freedom for Jeffrey Skilling and many other criminal defendants who have been convicted on similar charges. This ruling has immensely compromised the main tool that is used by many prosecutors to go after corporate officials. However, many people including Skillings lawyers have seen this as a land mark victory. This is case will have a very big impact on other similar cases; the ruling will affect in a big way the rulings in other cases and the fate of criminal defendants who are convicted for the same. This case will end up disturbing and complicating the Governments practice of over criminalizing the conducts of those in the business sector that do not violate any criminal law to deserve such harsh treatments and convictions. The legality of the Skillings case will have an impact on the recipients and the participants in similar cases. In such a case the ruling will aid other rulings of similar nature until sustainable or alternative replacement a ruling is implemented. This ruling will provide information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. And the provisions of the information will guide the other cases to contribute to positive rulings on related fates of criminals who are convicted of the same. Therefore, the outcome of this case will contribute to positive, social and environmental change on the ability of Governments and other policy makers to make more careful decisions on such cases. This can be categorized as cause for supporting other outcomes of such cases. The outcome of this case is an inspiration to all other outcomes of other cases. All other similar cases will need to be assessed on the same level or at higher level but in the same precedent. Conclusion The first time the Jeffrey Skilling case was heard, majority of the newspapers read; Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Jeffrey Skilling was actually convicted long before the case hearings began. Every one, every newspaper, every Television station convicted him. The deep wounds from the collapse of Enron Corporation affected the employees, the family and the friends of Jeffrey Skilling and continue to do so. His release or trial could release or retrial could cause outrage. Thus the case of Jeffrey Skilling of Enron will continue to draw interest, concern and other many reactions for many days or years to come. Buy custom White Collar Criminal essay

The Tudors - The Tudor Dynasty of England

The Tudors - The Tudor Dynasty of England The Tudors are the most famous English royal dynasty, their name remaining at the forefront of European history thanks to films and television. Of course, the Tudors wouldn’t feature in the media without something to grab people’s attention, and the Tudors - Henry VII, his son Henry VIII and his three children Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth, only broken by the nine-day rule of Lady Jane Grey - comprise two of England’s most famous monarchs, and three of the most highly regarded, each with plenty of fascinating, sometimes inscrutable, personality. The Tudors are also important for their actions as much as their reputations. They ruled England during the era when Western Europe moved from the medieval to the early modern, and they instituted changes in government administration, the relationship between crown and people, the image of the monarchy and the way people worshiped. They also oversaw a golden age of English writing and exploration. They represent both a golden age (a term still in use as a recent film about Elizabeth I showed) and an era of infamy, one of the most divisive families in Europe. Origins of the Tudors The history of the Tudors can be traced back to the thirteenth century, but their rise to prominence began in the fifteenth. Owen Tudor, a Welsh landowner, fought in the armies of King Henry V of England. When Henry died, Owen married the widow, Catherine of Valois, and then fought in the service of her son, Henry VI. At this time, England became divided by a struggle for the English throne between two dynasties, Lancastrian and York, called The Wars of the Roses. Owen was one of Henry VI’s Lancastrians; after the battle of Mortimer’s Cross, a Yorkist victory, Owen was executed. Taking the Throne Owen’s son, Edmund, was rewarded for his family’s service by being raised to the Earl of Richmond by Henry VI. Crucially for his later family, Edmund married Margaret Beaufort, great-granddaughter of John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, a tenuous but vital claim to the throne. Edmund’s only child Henry Tudor  led a rebellion against King Richard III and defeated him at Bosworth Field, taking the throne himself as a descendant of Edward III. Henry, now Henry VII, married the heir to the House of York, effectively ending the Wars of the Roses. There would be other rebels, but Henry stayed secure. Henry VII Having defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, gained parliamentary approval and married a member of his rival family, Henry was crowned king. He took part in diplomatic negotiations to secure his position, making agreements at both home and abroad, before instituting a reform of government, increasing royal administrative control and improving the royal finances. On his death, he left a stable kingdom and a wealthy monarchy. He had fought hard politically to establish himself and his family against the doubters and bring England together behind him. He has to go down as a major success but one totally overshadowed by his son and grandchildren. Henry VIII The most famous English monarch of all, Henry VIII is best known for his six wives, the result of a desperate drive to produce healthy male heirs to carry the Tudor dynasty forward. Another consequence of this need was the English Reformation, as Henry split the English Church away from the Pope and Catholicism in order to divorce. Henry’s reign also saw the emergence of the Royal Navy as a powerful force, changes in government which bound the monarch tighter to parliament, and perhaps the apogee of personal rule in England. He was succeeded by his only surviving son, Edward VI. Its the wives that capture the headlines, particularly as two were executed and the religious developments divided England for centuries, leading to a question that just cannot be agreed upon: was Henry VIII a tyrant, a great leader, or somehow both? Edward VI The son which Henry VI much desired, Edward inherited the throne as a boy and died only six years later, his reign having been dominated by two ruling councilors, Edward Seymour, and then John Dudley. They carried on the Protestant Reformation, but Edward’s strong Protestant faith has led to speculation he’d have carried things further if he had lived. He is the great unknown in English history and could have changed the future of the nation in remarkable ways, such was the era. Lady Jane Grey Lady Jane Grey is the great tragic figure of the Tudor era. Thanks to the machinations of John Dudley, Edward VI was initially succeeded by Lady Jane Grey, fifteen-year-old great-granddaughter of Henry VII and devout Protestant. However, Mary, although Catholic, had far greater support, and Lady Jane’s supporters swiftly changed their allegiances. She was executed in 1554, having done little personally beyond being used by others as a figurehead. Mary I Mary was the first queen to rule England in her own right. A pawn of potential marriage alliances in her youth, although none came to fruition, she was also declared illegitimate when her father, Henry VIII, divorced her mother Catherine, and was only later brought back into the succession. On taking the throne, Mary took part in an unpopular marriage to Philip II of Spain and returned England to the Catholic faith. Her actions in bringing back the heresy laws and executing 300 Protestants earned her the nickname Bloody Mary. But Marys life isnt just a tale of religious killing. She was desperate for an heir, resulting in a false but very advanced pregnancy, and as a woman fighting to rule a nation, broke the barriers Elizabeth later walked through. Historians are now assessing Mary in a new light. Elizabeth I Henry VIII’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth survived the plotting which threatened Mary, and which, in turn, cast doubt on the young princess, to become Queen of England when she might have been executed. One of the nation’s most highly regarded monarchs, Elizabeth returned the country to the Protestant faith, fought wars against Spain and Spanish-backed forces to protect England and other Protestant nations, and cultivated a powerful image of herself as a virgin queen wedded to her nation. She remains masked to historians, her true feelings and thoughts hidden away. Her reputation as a great ruler is faulty, as she relied far more on dithering and her inbuilt difficulty in making decisions than canny judgment.​ End of the Tudor Dynasty None of Henry VIII’s children had any lasting offspring of their own, and when Elizabeth I died, she was the last of the Tudor monarchs; she was followed by James Stuart from Scotland, the first of the Stuart dynasty and a descendant of Henry VIII’s eldest sister, Margaret. The Tudors passed into history. And yet they have enjoyed a considerable afterlife, and remain among the most famous monarchs in the world.

Bad habits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bad habits - Essay Example This is what I am learning right now in my current relationship. I have developed a bad habit that is so shocking I am hesitant to write about it here. It began several months ago and this habit is starting to make me think I might actually have some sort of obsession or addiction. My bad habit is sneaking peeks in my boyfriend’s phone. I’m sure that you are thinking that this really isn’t such a big deal and that I shouldn’t feel so bad about it. But the fact is I do feel badly, and I think you will understand why once you see how this one bad habit is starting to take over my life. I have been with my current boyfriend for nearly a year and I love his company. We always have such a good time and he is so incredibly hot. I can’t believe how gorgeous this guy is some times. I know that I am attractive, but my boyfriend could be a model. I had to get used to the fact that everywhere we went, other girls were going to be checking him out. He is very p opular, so we can’t go anywhere without him running into old girlfriends or girls that would love to be his current girlfriend instead of me. At first I thought all of this was very flattering. I had the guy that lots of other girls wanted. But after a while, I started to feel insecure. That is when the trouble began. The first time I looked into his phone is still very bright in my memory. He had forgotten the phone at my place after visiting one afternoon. I couldn’t resist. I picked up the phone three or four times before opening it up. At first I was curious. I just started to look through his photos. I was glad to see that he had a picture of me on his screen and that I was featured in more of his galleries than any other girl. But then I noticed that there was a blonde girl that was in almost as many photos as me. I didn’t recognize her and he never described her to me. I immediately grew suspicious and jealous. I simply had to check his messages. I snoope d through his messages but didn’t find any clues about the blonde girl. I didn’t find any evidence that he was cheating. I was relieved, but also angry because I didn’t know whom the blonde girl was. He came to pick up the phone and I didn’t let on that I had snooped. Now all I can think about is finding out who this blonde girl is that my boyfriend has in his phone. I have tried to find out about her by bringing up the blonde friend without letting on that I saw her in his phone. So far he hasn’t given me any clues. I am concerned because this bad habit is starting to negatively affect my life in two ways. The first way it is affecting my life is my boyfriend and I seem to be fighting all of the time now. He is constantly asking me what is wrong and I can’t tell him because he will know I snooped in his phone. The sad fact is that since my first peek, I have gone through his phone at least a dozen times. I just can’t stop until I fin d out who this mystery girl is. The second way this is affecting my life is I have started doing this with all of my girlfriends. I have been showing them how to find out things about their boyfriends by snooping in their phones. I have actually gone out with some of these friends and staked out their boyfriend’s house so they can tell if he is cheating or not. I can’