(1)Abuses and Criticisms of The Church

Question 1

Simony, Nepotism and Absenteeism

Answer 1

Simony - Ecclesiastical titles being sold

Nepotism - Giving family members who roles e.g. Wolsey gave son Dean of Wells

Absenteeism - Someone holds more than one parish (pluralism) to gain income and employs a semi-educated replacement

Question 2

Anti-Clericalism

Answer 2

Most weren’t recorded and from 1529-40 you get more as Henry is more happy to hear them

Mainly the Merchant class have recorded criticisms - They could buy critical books as well

Question 3

Behaviour of the Clergy

Answer 3

Mostly well behaved but some were called lazy, greedy and lustful (some had children)

Cranmer had a wife

Priests could abuse ‘benefit of clergy’ system and get tried in a church court - possibly escaping death penalty

If you could recite ‘neck verses’ (Latin verses) you were given a lenient sentence (laity unhappy about this)