Chapter 12 Flashcards
What were the influences of Renaissance ideas on England?
- Rebirth - the rejuvenation of classical texts - New ideas had been developing under Henry VII, but it was really during the reign of Henry VIII, who encouraged new thinkers like More and Erasmus - The Renaissance resulted in a growth in education and new ideas, helped by the printing press - Based on original Latin and Greek texts, they wanted to purify the ideas of the religious texts - They wanted student to study more than just religion - philosophy, arts, sciences, etc.
What was the influence of Erasmus?
- Moved to England where he taught divinity at Oxford and Cambridge Universities (1509-14) - Leader of the humanist movement emphasising the belief in the human capacity for self improvement through education - Critical of the abuses of the Catholic church and his ideas helped to prepare the way for Luther and the Protestant Reformation - Erasmus disapproved of Martin Luther’s radical methods
What was the influence of John Colet?
- Most significant humanists voice in education - Educated at Oxford University, toured Europe, met many scholars - lectured on New Testament at Oxford and believed people should understand the scriptures, advocated study of Greek - 1504 - Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral and founded the school, St Paul’s - He appointed Governors from the city guild not clergy and had a Humanist curriculum including works by Erasmus. He also appointed a Humanist Head, William Lily - He believed that the Church should be reformed from within
How did Humanist ideas spread to education?
- Similar to at St Paul’s, Humanism spread to colleges at Oxford and Cambridge Universities - Cardinal College founded by Cardinal Wolsey - later Christ Church - By the end of Henry VIII’s reign, Humanist influences had established in the university curriculum, replacing Church education - Henry’s switch from Wolsey the Cleric to Cromwell the lawyer marked this decrease in Church influence
What is the evidence for Renaissance ideas and English culture changing under Henry VIII?
- Classical knowledge increased during his reign - Growing number of schools influenced by Humanism - Henry himself promoted these ideas - The Crown wanted well-educated diplomats, e.g. Thomas More was a lawyer and statesman - England wanted to compete with other countries
What were sculptures like in Henry’s reign?
- Henry VIII commissioned the Italian Sculptor Pietro Torrigiano to produce the tombs of his parents and grandmother - These were produced in Renaissance style and are situated in the Lady Chapel of Westminster
What was the Lady Chapel like in Henry’s reign?
- One of the finest examples of perpendicular Gothic architecture - The tombs are influenced by the classical concerns of the Renaissance
What was the Rood Screen like in Henry’s reign?
Erected at King’s College, Cambridge, in the 1530s, celebrating the marriage of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII
What were paintings like in Henry’s reign?
- The dominant painters at Henry’s court were from the “northern Renaissance” which owed far more to Gothic influences than it did to the Italian Renaissance - The most famous painter is the German Hans Holbein, but the best paid was the Fleming Lucas Horenbout
What were tapestries like in Henry’s reign?
- Tapestries much more esteemed at the time than paintings - Most were Flemish in origin and often displayed chivalric themes from medieval culture
What were buildings like in Henry’s reign?
- Henry was more conservative in his building tastes than Cardinal Wolsey was - Little remains of the massive building programme, for example, Nonsuch Palace, which Henry instituted - However, surviving evidence does show a continuing taste for the Gothic, whereas Wolsey’s palace at Hampton Court clearly exhibited more classical influence
What was music like in Henry’s reign?
- Henry was a generous patron of musicians and music and was himself an amateur composer of some skill - Cardinal Wolsey was too noted as a musical patron - The most distinctive influence, certainly on the church music heard in the Chapel Royal and in cathedrals, was Flemish
What was evident across the cultural range in Henry VIII’s reign?
Italian Renaissance influences were becoming more fashionable, and England’s main cultural links reflected the close commercial ties which existed between England and the Low Countries
What were the three main changes which came with Henry VIII, Cromwell and Cranmer’s 1538-40 reformation of the CofE?
- King became Supreme Head of the Church - The monasteries were dissolved - Church doctrine (teachings) and practices were changed
What were the weaknesses of the Roman Catholic Church?
- Criticism of superstitions such as worship of saints and sale of indulgences to raise money - mystery was maintained through use of Latin - Poor quality of Parish Clergy - Corruption misled souls away from God and merely paid for clergy to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle - Misuse of wealth - Church wealth should be used to help poor or educate, but was not
What examples were there of anticlericalism in Henry VIII’s reign?
- Death of Richard Hunne, a London merchant - found dead in his cell in the Bishop of London’s prison. He had apparently hanged himself, but it was evident he had been murdered. This was disastrous in the short term for the rep of the Church - Simon Fish’s Supplication of the Beggars - he was an English Protestant convert and was dedicated to Henry VIII. His book was a vicious and powerful attack on the Catholic church
What is anticlericalism?
Opposition to the political and social importance of the clergy - objected to the influence of canon law, the legal privileges of the clergy and clerical misconduct
Describe the decline of Monasticism in Henry VIII’s reign
- Monasteries had been criticised before the 1530s - Wolsey closed 20 monasteries in the 1520s to fund Cardinal College at Oxford - Many thought that monasteries had lost their way and were run more like businesses - On the other hand, some monasteries were flourishing (Franciscans) right up to the final days
Describe early English Protestantism in Henry VIII’s reign
- Martin Luther’s attack on the Church started in 1517 in Germany, but there was little impact in England - London and the East Coast ports were mostly affected - Intellectuals met in Cambridge to discuss key issues - led by Robert Barnes, who was burned as a heretic - Cranmer came from this group, and he was also linked to the humanists
Did Henry accept all new religious stances?
NO: - He did listen to Erasmus’ humanist views - However, More (Catholic) and Fisher (radical Protestant) died for their beliefs
When were humanist views more influential?
At the end of Henry VIII’s reign and during Edward VI’s reign
How was the influence of humanism shown at the end of Henry VIII’s reign?
- Cranmer continued to enjoy the King’s favour, even when he was being subject to attack by enemies, such as the Duke of Norfolk - The King turned to Humanist John Cheke to tutor his son and heir, Edward, and Roger Ascham to tutor Princess Elizabeth - There was a Humanist circle around Henry’s last wife, Katherine Parr - she had a humanist education and was a generous patron of arts and literature
What were Martin Luther’s main criticisms of the Church?
- Indulgences - paying for forgiveness - buying a ticket to Heaven - The Bible was in Latin - ordinary people had to rely on what the priest told them as they could not read it themselves - Justification by faith - you could only get to Heaven through faith and not intermediaries or good work - Authority over Church - could be granted to lay a ruler, like the King
What is meant by the term “pluralism”?
Receiving profits of more than one post
What is meant by the term “simony”?
Purchasing of Church office
What is meant by the term “non-residence”?
Receiving profits from a post, but not being present to perform the duties associated with it
