Effectiveness of the restoration of Catholicism/ Mary as Reformer Flashcards
While the loss of parish clergy and bishops created problems with the return to Catholicism, what problems were caused for Protestants?
- restoration of heresy laws
- enforcement of religious conformity
What is the view of the historian Anna Whitelock?
- general support for Mary’s religious policy and widespread conformity
What was significant about Kent?
- area gave greatest support to the 1554 Wyatt rebellion
- place where Edward’s regime had had great impact
- where Cranmer was based
- foreign ideas were particularly influential as Dover and Canterbury are in Kent and were closest to France
What did Harpsfield’s survey do?
- examined progress of requirement of each of the 243 parishes of Kent to have minimum of:
- stone High Altar and stone side altar, both complete with two sets of hanging, for weekdays and holydays
- two sets of vestments
- a Rood screen with carved figures
- registers, account book, lockable chest
- grave-digging equipment
What did Harpsfield’s survey demonstrate?
- in almost every parish in Kent these requirements were met by 1557 (exception of grave-digging equipment)
In additional to the Harpsfield’s survey, what was also evident?
- almost all churches had missals
- all crucial books for conduct of liturgy
- returns demonstrated most churches had at least one processional cross and Easter sepulchre
- demands dealt with promptly and seems little challenge
- would suggest the overwhelming response in Kent acceptance of Marian reforms
It would be incorrect to minimise the continued existence of heresy, especially in Kent, but what is shown?
- evidence that many of those accused of heresy did recant, do penance and conform
Parish accounts in Morebath demonstrate a level of compliance with minimum of decoration required, what is an interesting example?
- rood at Ludham
- all roods had been destroyed by end of Edward’s reign but a rather crude rood was painted on the entrance to the Chancel
- cost impact
Although five years and five months of the reign was too short a period to reverse fully the destruction of Henry and Edward, what is there evidence of?
- is evidence that wealthy members of congregation were prepared to invest in re-equipping their churches with vestments, ornaments, statues
What were the limitations to restoration?
- such investment took time
- envisaged had not been achieved by Mary’s death
Who were a source of some opposition to the restoration of Catholic doctrine and practises?
- the laity who wished the Edwardian settlement to continue
Although Mary’s PC was broad, what did she do?
- worked with a smaller group of advisors
- Paget, Petre, Paulet
What did the PC do to deal with the good and bad coins in circulation? How successful was it?
- undertook plans for a full re-coinage
- not introduced when they had been drawn up because of the severe problems of the harvest failure 1556-1557
What were the negative effects of the bad harvests in 1554-1556?
- inflation was rampant
- resulted in high levels of mortality
- families had been forced off the land due to enclosure and sought employment in towns - further impoverished
What did Mary do to deal with the financial position of the crown?
- initiated a survey of crown land
- re-evaluation and rise in rents
- led to £40,000 increased income a year
- introduced a commission to streamline financial administration
