Edward VI- Social impact of Religious and Economic change Flashcards
denunciation of images in London
1547
Shows the power radical protestants had in government
Injunctions issued
1547
radical in nature
attacked many popular catholic traditions- images, processions, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday (very radical)
again reflected the anti-Catholic nature of court
Somerset’s stance on regilion
while previously more conservative, his move to more radical Protestantism (reflective of Edwards)
he started the ball rolling of radical reforms however, within his ruling Cranmer was much more cautious
showed a sustained attack on popular religion
showed a willingness (exacerbated by Northumberland) to take church money when it benefitted the crown- this created widespread fear for the systemic stripping of the church
Religious radicals in Somerset’s court
John Hooper and Thomas Beacon
Dissolution of chantries and guilds
December 1547
further attack on popular catholic traditions, this change impacted the general public on a much wider scale
Money that originally went to these now went to the crown- needed to fun expensive foreign policies
Act of uniformity
1548
laid down the publication of the book of common prayer
Book of Common Prayer
1549
Written by a very hesitant Cranmer
Set out the single form of services for the Church of England (CofE) and translated them into English (not particularly radical just protestant)
Did not denounce Catholicism AND writings about the eucharist were very vague
Northumberland’s stance on religion
Also rather radical
is what caused his second coup (fear he’d be kicked out)
following this coup much more radical measures were taken to ensure Protestantism in England- this is partially because reformers were allowed to be radical (fit the Kings belief) and because England was in a slightly more stable position
radical clergy continued to gain influence during his reign
Cranmer’s lack of caution is likely due to government support
treason act
1552
questioning royal supremacy or the beliefs of the CofE become a crime
2nd act of uniformity
1552
church of England services are compulsory
Revised book of Common prayer
1552
much more radical version of its predecessor- Cranmer’s move away from caution
removed any remaining ‘conservative’ policies- Catholics had nothing left to accept
new sacrament services, made easier to understand
radical reforms of the communion service- ‘we do this in remembrance’ (clear denouncing of transubstantiation)
Zwinglianism influences
ban of popish vestments- simplicity
Zwinglianism
a specific type of radical Protestantism (more radical than Luther)
most important belief- eucharist was only a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice
developed in Switzerland
42 Articles of religion
1553
issued by Cranmer
define the essential faiths of the CofE
reflects Zwinglian influences
Kings death a few weeks later meant this was never implemented
Edward’s stance of religion
radical
as the head of the church, Edward thought it was his mission to destroy idolatry
Northumberland’s two fold strategy of the church
continue Somerset’s reforms
take money from the church
social impact of Somerset’s policies
dissolution of chantries disconnected society as it took money previously used for charity, feasts and celebrations.
Continued to take church resources which then created a wide-spread fear of what was to come
Northumberland and the churches wealth
systematic policy of asset stripping and extracting wealth from the church:
plundering of Bishoprics: combined Gloucester and Worcester dioceses with remaining estates going to the crown
Social impact of Northumberland’s religious policies
destruction of the societal aspect of churches, people began to leave less money to churches in their wills or for the church plate- aware that it would probably just go to the crown
caused a crisis of religion on a parish level, as things became plainer and as the crown took more, people were less eager to go
Crown takes church plate in 1553
climate of discontent (made it easy for Mary’s return to Catholicism)
Humanism in Edward’s reign
Although weakened by divisions in the 1530s, humanism still had a clear influence on the crown:
Edward was tutored by humanist John Chelle
Secretary of State William Cecil encouraged humanist scholars
Humanism continued to influence Cranmer- the 1547 injunctions stated that parish churches should all have a copy of The Paraphrase of Erasmus
How did Religious and intellectual ideas change in Edwards reign
an unpopular lean towards much more radical Protestantism, the longevity of these reforms unclear since Edward died so early however, a clear indicator is seen by Elizabeth. When returning England to Protestantism, she chose to reverse all religious policy up to the end of her father’s reign- therefore NONE of Edwards much more radical policies were returned to. Arguably Elizabeth chose this more tentative route because she did not have the power or authority over England that Edward did (Liz faced problems of legitimacy and gender which Edward did not)
Likewise, these reforms were very unpopular on a parish level which made it much easier for Mary to return
influence of humanism was similar to previous reigns
Economic inheritance from Henry VIII
bad
debasement of coinage in his reign already created a problem with inflation and wages
wars had left England in debt
Somerset’s economy
bad
inflation- continued to debase the coin to raise money to fight Scotland
low wages- made worse
enclosure- unpopular
bad harvests- 1548
Somerset and enclosure
believed it was the root of social issues
set up a commission to investigate, the commissioners did little but raise expectations
in an attempt to deter enclosure, Somerset introduced sheep taxation but that just put pressure on small farmers
Social impacts of Somerset’s economy
taxation made the wars very unpopular as well as unrest from small farmer who relied on sheep farming
hope raised by enclosure commissions but in reality, they changed nothing
literally caused 2 rebellions that he struggled to supress
Northumberland’s economy
Crown finances are bolstered by the end of the wars, French payment for Boulogne and taking from the church
debased the coinage one more time and then stopped that policy- helped ease inflation
plans to streamline financial administration were made but never fully implemented due to Edward’s death
social impact of Northumberland’s economy
-crown finances improved
-end of war and debasing the coinage helped ease inflation
However, the dubious methods of taking from the church were immensely unpopular (arguable Northumberland simply saw this as another form of revenue)
When was the western rebellion
summer 1549
societal causes of the western rebellion
-grievances with local government (Cornwall) and their Bishop for pushing for new land reforms
-The gentry used societal divisions to seize more land from people for enclosure
-because this rebellion was caused by anger at the gentry, many did not support it which ultimately led to its downfall
-sheep tax
Religious causes for the western rebellion
1547 act of uniformity and the following prayer book- very unpopular
grievances ran deeper than this, upset with the stripping of the churches money and traditions as set out by the injunctions and dissolution of guilds
this rebellion is also know as the prayer book rebellion
events of the western rebellion
Archdeacon William Body is murdered in 1548 (associated with the religious reforms)
Rebels set up camp in Bodmin
Send a list of demands to the King (some show a lack of respect for him)
very catholic leaning demands
joined by rebels from Devon and an armed camp is set up
ending of the western rebellion
Lord Russel is sent to stop the some 6,000 rebels- this takes him a month to do (even with the aid of the local gentry)
what does the western rebellion show
big societal discontent with new religious reforms
potentially that the power of the crown has diminished as it took a month for this rebellion to be stopped- shows Somerset’s lack of successful governing
When was kett’s rebellion
summer 1549
causes of kett’s rebellion
Societal reasons
anger over enclosure mainly but also some religious grievances
led by Robert Kett (landowner)
Events of Kett’s rebellion
rebels launch an attack on Norwich in July
16,000 rebels by the time they reach Norwich
sent demands to the king, which were rejected
set up cases to discuss illegal enclosure while in Norwich
Ending of kett’s rebellion
rebels defeat the first royal attack, led by Warwick
following this, mercenaries are hired and then attack again
battle of Dussindale
August 1549
rebellion finally stopped but not without lots of mercenary support
what did kett’s rebellion show
the ineffective ruling of Somerset
societal grievances were just, if not more, prominent as religious ones
How did English society and economy change under Somerset and with what effects?
-Society became increasingly unstable as seen through the two rebellions
-religious reforms were unpopular but partially because of the societal disruptions as well
-after Henry, problems with inflation and enclosure were only accentuated through debasement of the coinage and Somerset’s ineffective enclosure council
How did English society and economy change under Northumberland and with what effects?
Conditions surrounding inflation and taxation began due ease due to the ending of the war.
Arguable that Northumberland got away with such radical religious reforms because his government and societal was a bit more stable
however, parish level policies were very unpopular and people stopped leaving money to the church
