Attitude to Mary's Policy

Question 1

Evidence for popular support of Mary

4

Answer 1

Unpopularity of Edward’s reforms suggest Catholicism still popular

Mary’s return to London was greeted with joy on the streets and large numbers turned out for her coronation compared to few for Lady Jane Grey’s

Mass said in some parishes before Act of Repeal

In Devon parishioners raised considerable amounts of money to pay for catholic restoration

Question 2

Evidence for popular opposition to Mary

Answer 2

Nicknamed ‘Bloody Mary’ by the people due to the heresy burnings - this certainly wasn’t an endearing nickname

Wyatt’s Rebellion 1554, although this was more so to do with the marriage to Phillip, was before major religious change and any burnings

Spanish Ambassador’s talk of ‘unrest’ in letters to Philip

800 Protestants left to Mainland Europe in early 1554. Although mainly wealthy and small number

Question 3

Wyatt’s Rebellion

Answer 3

1554

Happened before major religious changes came about, and was more so to do with Mary’s marriage with Philip I of Spain

Question 4

John Foxe

Answer 4

Wrote the Book of Martyrs

This said there was widespread opposition to the burnings, said the Fires of Smithfield were what turned England Protestant, evens rating that some people were so impressed by the dedication of the martyrs that they converted themselves, but there is only evidence of 1 person doing this

Question 5

Opposition & Support for the Burnings

Answer 5

Support
Large numbers attended the burnings and they were seen as spectacles. London magistrates even had to order them to take place in the morning to reduce the crowds

Kent cherry-growers sold their goods at burnings

Opposition
John Foxe argues in his Book of Martyrs there was widespread opposition to the burnings, said the Fires of Smithfield were what turned England Protestant, evens rating that some people were so impressed by the dedication of the martyrs that they converted themselves, but there is only evidence of 1 person doing this

Some small protests at initial burnings

Spanish Ambassador, Simon Renard, wrote that he feared the burnings would cause ‘unrest’, and that Mary and Phillip may be in danger

Most of the burnings took place in the South-East, like Cranmer executed in Oxford 1556, and thus it is likely opposition here would be more limited