Henrican Reformation

Question 1

How was England legislatively Protestant country by 1547?

Answer 1

• 1534 Act of Supremacy established Henry as ‘supreme head’ of the church rather than the pope
• 1536 Royal Injunctions attacked Catholic practices of pilgrimages and relics and required clergy to promote the 1536 Ten Articles and teach the Lord’s Prayer in English
• 1539 Great Bible: first authorised edition of Bible in English, was read aloud in church services - made the Bible more accessible to the poor and so undermined the clergy

Question 2

How was England NOT legislatively Protestant country by 1547?

Answer 2

• Henry was now head of the church but this was no real indication of doctrinal changes - simply Catholicism without the pope
• Royal Injunctions undermined some Catholic practices but still enforced major Catholic beliefs - Act of 10 Articles affirms belief in transubstantiation

Question 3

What suggests England was NOT socially Protestant?

Answer 3

• 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace: 40,000 men rebelled against the dissolution of the monastries
• Franciscan monks publically defied the annulment despite being in close proximity to the crown (had a house in Greenwhich) - preached a semon before the king denouncing his plans for divorce

Question 4

How was England socially Protestant?

Answer 4

1534 Treason Act caused all their houses to be shut down and monks dispersed - about 30 were arrested and died in prison

Question 5

How do individuals show England was NOT protestant?

Answer 5

• Bishop Fisher was well respected across Europe and had high status - Henry even originally let him off for supporting Elizabeth Barton with a £300 fine. Refused to swear oath of supremacy so was charged with misprison of treason, however he had support from the imperial ambassador Chapuys and the Pope who announced Fisher would be made cardinal
• Thomas More close friend of Henry who also refused to take the oath of supremacy - during his trial he attacked Henry’s tyrrany and embarrassed the crown

Question 6

How do individuals show England was protestant?

Answer 6

Both Fisher and More were executed showing Henry was able to deal with Catholic threats

Question 7

How was the Pilgrimage of Grace a threat?

Answer 7

• The men outnumbered Henry’s army 40,000 to 8,000
• The rebels were able to capture Pontefract Castle - a key castle under Henry’s control

Question 8

How was the Pilgrimage of Grace NOT a threat?

Answer 8

• An agreement was eventually reached and the rebels were dispersed - when Bigod tried to lead a second uprising the following year they lacked sufficient support and failed - Aske and 178 rebels were executed in response though

CONSENSUS: The fact that Henry had to negotiate undermines his power showing they were a threat

Question 9

How were religious orders a threat?

Answer 9

• Franciscan monks publically defied the annulment despite being in close proximity to the crown (had a house in Greenwhich) - preached a semon before the king denouncing his plans for divorce
• Carthusian monks refused to accept annulment and resisted gov pressure to swear supremacy - seen as least corrupt of the Holy Orders so their opposition had more impetus

Question 10

How were religious orders NOT a threat?

Answer 10

• The Franciscan monks were arrested and dispersed due to 1534 Treason Act
• The Carthusians eventually gave in and swore an oath of allegiance

Question 11

How were individuals a threat?

Answer 11

• Bishop Fisher was well respected across Europe and had high status - Henry even originally let him off for supporting Elizabeth Barton with a £300 fine. Refused to swear oath of supremacy so was charged with misprison of treason, however he had support from the imperial ambassador Chapuys and the Pope who announced Fisher would be made cardinal
• Thomas More close friend of Henry who also refused to take the oath of supremacy - during his trial he attacked Henry’s tyrrany and embarrassed the crown

Question 12

How were individuals NOT a threat?

Answer 12

• Both Fisher and More were executed showing Henry was able to deal with Catholic threats

CONSENSUS: Not before they could publically defy and embarrass Henry