Henry VII - Religion, humanism, arts and learning

Question 1

What was the function of the Church and churchmen?

Answer 1

all English people belonged to Catholic Church under Pope

• church provided focus of popular entertainment
• guilds and confraternities offered charity

Maintained social control through encouragement of good behaviour, obedience + community value
Employment opportunities + chance to advance yourself socially through office - e.g. Wolsey

Question 2

King and Pope - their relationship

Answer 2

Erastian - State has authority over Church
King firmly in control and popes were eager to grant favours demanded by the king
Papacy had no objection to the way in which Henry used wealth of Church to reward those churchmen to whom he had given high political office

Question 3

How was the Church in England administered?

Answer 3

Canterbury and York - archbishop

17 dioceses - bishop

Question 4

Were senior clergymen influential

Answer 4

Participated at a high level in political process
senior figures of Church drawn from aristocracy
e.g. Henry’s great, great uncle was a cardinal and bishop

Some offices of state monopolised by clergymen
Abbots were heads of wealthiest religious houses
- shared their membership w bishops in HoL