Henry VIII after 1529 opposition to religious change Flashcards
What were the instances of opposition to religious change?
Pilgrimage of Grace (Oct 1536- Feb 1537)
Thomas More, John FIsher, Carthusians, Elizabeth Barton
Surprising there wasn’t more opposition
Thomas more opposition- reason, actions, result
R- Supported pope, didn’t believe in divorce, didn’t believe church should be in King’s control
A- Resigned as lord chancellor, refused to swear oath of supremacy
Result- Execution
John Fisher opposition- reason, actions, result
R- He believed in papal power, opposition was a mortal sin
A- Refused to swear the oath of supremacy
Result- Executed
Carthusian monks and Franciscan friars- reason, actions, result
R- Disagreed with break from rome
A- Resisted changes
Result- Houses closed, imprisoned, some executed, others died of Starvation rather than surrender
Elizabeth Barton- reason, actions, result
R- Opposed the divorce
A- Prophesied that Henry would lose his throne
Result- executed
Why was there little opposition 1529-35?
Changes had little impact on the actual people. NO change in doctrine etc, priest in 1536 thought the changes wouldn’t last as many thought once Henry had obtained his divorce, the pope would be restored to the head of the church
What provoked the pilgrimage of grace?
Dissolution of the smaller monasteries, royal injuctions and ten articles
How many men were raised in the PofG?
40k- outnumbered Henry’s 8k
Why was the PofG a serious threat?
- Rebel forces outnumbered King
- RF had control of major city, York
- RF controlled Pontefract castle (seen as gateway to the south)
- RF well organised under Aske
- Rebellion attracted support from all classes
PofG summary of events
- Unrest initially broke out in Louth, spreading to Lincolnshire due to government commissioners dissolving monasteries and rumours they were going to seize church jewels (grievances drawn up at lincoln reinforce this view)
- Rising involved gentry and commoners, however as royal force drew near, gentry support disappeared
- News of uprising spread to yorkshire, armies under leadership of Robert Aske assembled. Rebels from westmorland and craven seized york, with pontefract castle being handed over to them
- Duke of Norfolk sent to reason with them. Demands given and Henry offered a general pardon, Aske insisted no more monasteries were to be closed until Parliament met.
- Some were suspicious of agreement- Bigod raised force in Jan 1537, quickly collapsed. Gave henry excuse to round up rebels, executing 178 including Aske and Darcy (the lord of Pontefract Castle)
Religious reasons PofG
- Timing (1536)
- Aske claimed dissolution was ‘greatest cause’
- Rebels restored some monks to their monasteries
- In lancashire, rising first began in areas around monasteries and they were the last areas to be suppressed
- Many religious grievances in demands
- Monasteries important in religious northen life- acted as spiritual centres
- Pilgrim Oath and Ballad (stressed religious element)
- Rebel banner was of the 5 wounds of christ
- Rebels wanted royal supremacy to end, and heretics to be attacked
Other reasons PofG
- Poor harvests in 1535 and 1536
- Enclosure was an issue in York and Lake District
- Complaints about rents and entry fines (sum of money paid to the lord by a tenant entering a property)
- Taxation brought in by 1534 subsidy act (justified taxation on grounds of peace as well as war)
- Opposition to the Statute of Uses from the gentry (tax on inheritance)
- Complaints about advisors such as Cromwell
- Supporters of CofA and Mary wanted to restore their influence- Cromwell’s supporters dominated court, rebellion the only way to achieve this.
How much of a threat was the opposition?
-The PofG was the only large-scale opposition that henry faced
How far was the reformation successful (under Henry and overall)?
Ultimately the Reformation resulted in England becoming a Protestant country, this was far from obvious during Henry’s reign; the moves towards Protestantism were piecemeal and England even reverted back to Catholicism under Mary therefore it was little to oppose at this stage – Henry himself remained Catholic
How did Henry/Cromwell put down religious opposition?
- A propaganda campaign was launched to defend the king’s position and denounce the rebellion
- Direct correspondence was used by Cromwell to generate fear, letters sent to JPs ordering them to arrest people who supported the pope
- Pressure put on bishops and parish priests to ensure change was implemented, followed by visitations to check enforcement
