How far the Church was in need of reform in the 1520s Flashcards
What was the attitude of the English towards the Pope?
Little evidence of dislike (unlike Germany) although also little evidence of close attachment
What was the situation with the clergy?
Yes
- Criticisms in south-east
- Criticisms from within clergy
- 1511 John Colet (Dean of St Paul’s) preached sremon attacking abuses within Church - accused clergy of being ambitious and greedy
- Absent bishops
- Pluralism
- Wolsey
- Thomas Magnus
- Held more than ten different titles including vicar of Kendal, canon at Windsor and at Lincoln
But
- Most well respected at a local level
- Little evidence or reports of clerical misconducts
- Relations between priests and parishioners usually harmonious
- Ordination rates remained high - respect for instituation
- Absent bishops usually on state business and appointed suffragans as deputies
What issues did people have with the Church in the south-east and London?
Common?
Some evidence of disquiet over the payment of tithes (Hunne Case)
Exceptions rather than rule
What was the Hunne Case?
(remembering exception rather than rule)
1514
London merchant accused of being a Lollard found dead in a church cell.
Clergyman and two gaolers accused but never brought to trial
Hunne’s body burned as a heretic despite not being convicted
Accusations of corruptino in Church protecting its own members
Possibly used by Church as an example of anti-clericalism, but no riots or protests on Hunne’s behalf at time
What evidence is there to suggest that support and enthusiam for religious orders was slightly on the wane?
- Several monasteries and numeries experienced falling numbers
- A fall in number of new abbeys, priories, and friaries built compared to previous centuries
What was the situation with the local parish church?
Little evidence to suggest in crisis
- Particularly in rural areas - church calendar supported agricultural activities e.g. rogationtide festival
- Centre of community social lives - church ales
- Rural parish priests (often with a limited education) seemed able to fill their roll
- Archbishop Warham’s visitation of 260 parish churchs in Kent in 1511-12 - only 4 priests ‘ignorant’
What was the situation like in urban areas?
Educated and literate bought large amounts of literature
- The Primer went through 78 editions 1501-30
Spititual support and encouragement
What was the situation with parish churches and chapels?
- Large number built 1490-1529
- Significant public donations
- Significant sums were left in parishioners’ wills for furnishing parish churches
- New steeple at Louth in Lincoln spent £305
What was the situation like with religious guilds?
Yes
- Less enthusiastic support for them in south-east
BUT
- In several areas:
- Numerous, active, prosperous, left money by large % in wills
57% of money in Devon and Cornish wills went to religious guilds 1520-9
What was the situation with sacraments and rituals?
Yes
- Limited opposition confined to south-east
But
- Largely popular - high attendance rate
- Willingly contributed considerable amounts for ceremony equipment
What was the situation with chantries?
Still used as would expect
What was the situation with images?
Yes
- Some criticism of pilgrimages
But
- Still widely used until 1530s (Elizabeth’s reign)
- Parishioners contributed towards their purchase
What was the situation with the Church on the continent?
Impact on England?
Under severe attack following publication of Martin Luther’s ‘95 Theses’ in 1517
Little evidence of support for heretical movements or Lutheranism in England
Evidence of Lollardy?
Lutheranism?
Some - but largely confined to area around Chiltern Hills and with no:
- National organisation
- Agreed faith
Therefore little more than a fringe group
Less support for Lutheranism - only some evience of a small group of Cambridge scholars interested
Most people still ____ ____ when ____
Most people still attended Church when summoned
