1.4 The Schism of England Flashcards
What are the three topics in this section on the Schism of England?
a) Introduction to the English Reformation.
b) Events leading up to Schism.
c) Aftermath of Henry VIII: England becomes Protestant.
Summarize the state of the Church in England before the Reformation hit.
- The Catholic Church in England at the beginning of the sixteenth century was in better condition than in any country in Europe save Spain.
- Relations between the clergy and the laity were very good; there were relatively few clerical scandals and there was popular support for the religious and the Church in general.
- A visitor to the British island at the time could admire the universal observation of Catholic practices and the general manifestation of English piety.
- The king himself had been named “Protector of the faith” by the Pope in 1520 for defending the Church against Lutheran attacks in his work entitled Defense of the Seven Sacraments
What were 2 events leading up to schism, and the 2 that sealed it?
- Henry VIII wanted a divorce
- Cardinal Wolsey was declared traitor, Thomas Cranmer and Cromwell take up the cause.
- The Act of Supremacy passed
- Confiscation of Church properties
How did Henry VIII come to the thrown and how did he end up wanting a divorce?
The Tudors came to power at the end of the civil War (the War of the Roses). Henry VII brought peace and prosperity and alliance with Spain sealed by his son Arthur’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Arthur died. His second son was Henry VIII was given to her in marriage, with a dispensation from Pope Julius II. Several sons died, and when he feared he’d have no heir, he sought a divorce. He claimed the dispensation was wrongful, and sent legates led by Chancellor Cardinal Wolsey to Rome asking Pope Clement VII for an annulment. He took a liking to Anne Boleyn, one of Catherine’s attendants.
What happened between the time Henry sent Wolsey to Rome and the Act of Supremacy?
Wolsey, who had gotten a lot of benefices, had tried to make Henry Holy Roman Emperor. He failed, but gained Henry’s trust.
He got the trial approved to happen in England and a initially a guarantee from Rome they wouldn’t interfere. Later Pope Celement VII, fearing a schism in England and reprisals from Emperor Charles V of Spain, insisted on a fair trial and ordered it brought to Rome. Henry declared Wolsey a traitor, trying to enforce the rules of a foreign ruler. He died on his way back to England to face trial.
Henry made Thomas More Chancellor, hoping his good reputation would help his cause. More helped with reform, but refused to touch the annulment case. So Henry turned to Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell.
On Cromwell’s advice, Henry bribed universities into declaring his case worthy. He forced a convocation of clergy to accept him as “supreme head of the Church of England as far as the law of Christ allows.”
Henry named Cranmer archbishop. He was the personal confessor of Anne Boleyn, a secret Lutheran with a secret marriage. He declared Henry’s previous marriage invalid and crowned Anne Boleyn (who had been secretly married to Henry by the court chaplain).
What specific action led to the Act of Supremacy, when was it, and what was it’s immediate aftermath?
Clement VII declared Henry’s marriage to Catherine valid. Henry broke definitively with the Holy See. In 1534, parliament passed the “Act of Supremacy” making him and successors the supreme head of the Church in England.
Cromwell was named “vicar-general” and was tasked with getting compliance from bishops and clergy. Most took the oath. John Fisher was the only bishop not to sign. He was beheaded in 1535. Pope Paul III made him cardinal as he awaited execution. Thomas More and some monks held firm 54 were martyred and later beatified by Pope Leo XIII.
Henry confiscated church properties. Pope Paul III excommunicated Henry and released his subjects from their oath of allegiance, but to no effect. The kings of France and Spain (emperor Charles V) sought alliances with Henry.
How did Henry deal with Lutheranism after his split with Rome? How did it affect his marriages?
He still considered himself Catholic and fought Lutheranism. He compelled Parliament to adopt the Six Articles maintaining transubstantiation, Communion under one species, Masses for the dead, the Sacrament of Penance, vows, and celibacy of the clergy. Heretics were still burned at the stake.
Anne bore no son and he blamed her for the presence of Lutheranism. Catherine died. Henry accused Anne of adultery and had her beheaded. Henry married Jane Seymore, who bore his heir, Edward VI.
After Jane died in childbirth, Cromwell arranged a marriage with a German princess Anne of Cleves to forge an alliance. Henry didn’t like her or being drawn into a conflict with Spain. He executed Cromwell for treason.
Henry married two more times. He died at 55.
What happened to England during Edward VI’s reign
He was an infant. Thomas Cranmer called the shots, and sought to turn England into a Lutheran-Calvinist country. The 6 Articles were repealed. England was flooded with Luther’s writings. Cranmer published The Book of Common Prayer and a Lutheran catechism. Altars were destroyed and replaced by simple tables and the essential parts of the Mass were swept away. Bishops who opposed were imprisoned. There were some local rebellions.
Edward died at 15. There was an attempt to keep a Protestant on the throne through a distant cousin, but support turned to Mary Tudor, Henry’s elder daughter
What happened during Mary 1st’s reign?
She was an ardent Catholic and restored the Church of England to the old faith. the Edwardian enactments were repealed. England reunited with Rome in 1554. She didn’t press for return of Church lands. She married Philip II of Spain, Charles V’s son.
Mary had Cranmer and other opponents burned at the stake for heresy. 277 were executed. she ruled for five years 1554-58 till her death.
