Henry VIII: The Church, Great Matter And Reformation

Question 1

What were the causes of the great matter?

Answer 1

Anne Boleyn
Catherine of Aragon
Doctrine
Thomas Cranmer

Question 2

Why was Anne Boleyn a cause of the Great Matter?

Answer 2

Henry’s love for Anne Boleyn and his belief that she would be the one to bear him a son
In 1533 Anne was pregnant which renewed his motivation later on

Question 3

Why was Catherine of Aragon a cause of the Great matter?

Answer 3

Catherine has only bore Henry one child his daughter Mary and had suffered many miscarriages and she was getting older so her chances of having a son was declining

Question 4

Why was Henry so set on having a son?

Answer 4

He wanted the line of succession to be secure and clear so that another War of the Roses would happen

Question 5

How did doctrine cause the Great Matter?

Answer 5

Henry said his marriage to Catherine was sinful as she had been married to his brother first but the previous Pope had issued a dispensation as Catherine claimed her marriage with Arthur had never been consummated

Question 6

How was Thomas Cramner a cause of the Great Matter?

Answer 6

Later cause

Renewed Henry’s motivations by offering him a new solution to get his divorce

Question 7

Why did Henry fail to achieve the annulment?

Answer 7

Cardinal Campeggio
Catherine of Aragon
Thomas Wolsey
Charles V
Weakness of the case

Question 8

Why is Cardinal Campeggio one of the reasons that Henry failed to achieve an annulment?

Answer 8

He was the Papal legate that was sent to hear Henry’s case but as the Pope did not know what to do as he did not want to upset Charles V. So Campeggio took nearly a year to travel to England.

Question 9

Why is Catherine of Aragon one of the reasons that Henry failed to achieve an annulment?

Answer 9

She refused to go away and take religious vows that would immediately dissolve her marriage to Henry
She defended herself at the Blackfriars court arguing that she was only ever faithful to Henry

Question 10

Why is Thomas Wolsey one of the reasons that Henry failed to achieve an annulment?

Answer 10

As papal legate he could only take Henry’s case so far as he could not go against the Pope or he would lose his position

Question 11

Why is Charles V one of the reasons that Henry failed to achieve an annulment?

Answer 11

He obtained control of the Papal States which put pressure on the Pope to say no as Catherine was Charles aunt

Question 12

Why is the weakness of Henry’s case one of the reasons that Henry failed to achieve an annulment?

Answer 12

His case was based purely on Leviticus but the previous Pope has overrode this for Henry to marry Catherine
Also Deuteronomy undermines Leviticus

Question 13

What was the Ten Articles?

Answer 13

Only 3 sacraments
Popish purgatory rejected
Catholic services retained

Question 14

What were Cromwell’s Injuctions?

Answer 14

Fill in gaps left by the 10 Articles
Clergy to teach Ten Articles
Attacks saints days, Holy days and pilgrimage

Question 15

What is the Bishops Book?

Answer 15

Written by Protestant Bishops
Henry makes 250 changes but still doesn’t approve
Transubstantiation upheld

Question 16

What was the Royal Proclamation I’d 1538

Answer 16

Official statement by the king
Stressed ‘via media’ middle way
Criticised Protestants for wanting more change

Question 17

What were the Injunctions of 1538?

Answer 17

Cromwell pushing for Protestant changes

Question 18

What was the Royal Proclamation of 1539?

Answer 18

Attacks Pilgrimages

Attacks superstition

Question 19

What is the Act of Six Articles?

Answer 19

Rejects papal authority
Brings back 7 sacraments 
Clerical celibacy
Transubstantiation 
Known as the whip with six strings

Question 20

What changes were made to the church in the 1540’s?

Answer 20

Cromwell removed
Step towards conservation
Royal proclamation of 1541

Question 21

Why did people oppose the Reformation?

Answer 21

Fundamental religious opposition
Opposition to royal supremacy opposition to the dissolution of the monasteries
Defence of traditional practices
Purgatory under threat
Fear of new taxes
Opposition to the divorce and Anne Boleyn

Question 22

How did people oppose the Reformation through open challenge?

Answer 22

Some openly criticised the king from within England or abroad

Question 23

What is an example of someone openly challenging the Reformation?

Answer 23

Pilgrimage of Grace

Thomas More

Question 24

How did people oppose the Reformation through Private Opposition?

Answer 24

Some prayed secretly for the pope as the supreme head of the Church

Question 25

How did people oppose the Reformation through remaining loyal to Catholicism?

Answer 25

Many carried on traditional habits and when Mary ruled many things were restored quickly and a significant increase in men wanting to be priests

Question 26

How did people oppose the Reformation through refusal to act until forced to do so?

Answer 26

Many practices were continued until the government could enforce compliance. I’m 1538 80% of Lincoln did not have English bibles until they were threatened with a fine of £2 until they got them in 1541.

Question 27

How did people oppose the Reformation through opposition from the inside?

Answer 27

Some attacked discreetly from within such as Bishop Longland who continued to preach Catholic doctrine in his diocese.

Question 28

How did Carthusian and observant Franciscan monks oppose the Reformation?

Answer 28

Stood against the break with Rome.

Both were suppressed and meant were imprisoned, then executed or died due to the conditions

Question 29

How did the Elizabeth Barton (the Holy Maid of Kent) oppose the Reformation?

Answer 29

The 16 year old had a vision of the Virgin Mary. Her visions continued and Dr Edward Bocking have her spiritual guidance. They condemned Henry’s marriage to Anne. She remained important until 1533 when Cromwell intervened stopping her from publishing material against Henry and was executed in 1534.

Question 30

How did John Fisher the Bishop of Rochester oppose the Reformation?

Answer 30

Stood by Catherine and the that the Popes powers were god given.
This led to conflict with Henry and he urged Charles to use armed intervention to stop Henry therefore he was imprisoned and threatened to swear the oath of Succession but refused and was executed in 1535.

Question 31

How did Sir Thomas More oppose the Reformation?

Answer 31

Opposed Henry’s divorce from Catherine abut still appointed lord chancellor after Wolsey. He resigned in 1532 after the submission of the clergy and refused to swear the oath of succession but would not give a reason why. He was imprisoned and interrogated by Cromwell and he would not speak but when he finally did and confided why he was executed.