Opposition to Religious Change

Question 1

Sir Thomas More: Who was he?

Answer 1

Wolsey’s replacement as Chancellor

Question 2

Sir Thomas More: How did he oppose religious change?

Answer 2

1/ Refused to swear oath accepting Act of Succession - 1534.
2/ Supported Papal Authority over Henry.
3/ Never openly declared opposition but passively resisted.
4/ Did not support marriage to Anne Boleyn.

Question 3

Sir Thomas More: How did Henry respond?

Answer 3

Allegation of him not accepting Henry’s role as King - accused of treason and executed.

Question 4

Aragonese Faction: Who was this?

Answer 4

Small group of nobility led by Henry Courtenay, Marquis of Exeter.

Question 5

Aragonese Faction: When did they lose sway at court?

Answer 5

After the rise of the Boleyn faction.

Question 6

Aragonese faction: How did they oppose religious change?

Answer 6

After 1536 Succession Act excluded Mary prompted some members ie. Lord Darcy + Hussey, to join Pilgrimage of Grace.

Question 7

Aragonese faction: How did Henry respond?

Answer 7

Darcey and Hussey executed. Courtenay executed later in 1539 for links to Reginald Pole.

Question 8

John Fisher - Bishop of Rochester: How did he feel?

Answer 8

Actions towards Catherine wrong and mortal sin to oppose power of papacy.

Question 9

John Fisher - Bishop of Rochester: How did Henry respond?

Answer 9

Was lenient until Fisher refused an oath of acceptance to divorce. Pope declared Fisher to be made Cardinal.
Accused of treason and executed.

Question 10

Elizabeth Barton - the nun of Kent: What happened in her early life?

Answer 10

After illness had visions subject to Virgin Mary. From 1528 saw visions of King’s marriage - warned disaster if he abandoned wife.

Question 11

Elizabeth Barton - the nun of Kent: Who was she under protection of?

Answer 11

Monk, Dr Edward Bocking - used her to create wider campaign against changes of Church - published books on her visions.

Question 12

Elizabeth Barton - the nun of Kent: Who did she have links to?

Answer 12

Fisher and More, as well as Carthusian monks in London.

Question 13

Elizabeth Barton - the nun of Kent: How did Henry respond?

Answer 13

She had to declare visions were fake and was then executed.

Question 14

Monastic resistance: Who was the most respected order?

Answer 14

The Carthusian Order.

Question 15

Monastic Resistance: What did they refuse to accept?

Answer 15

1/ Divorce
2/ 1534 - Resisted government pressure to agree to declaration against authority of Pope.

Question 16

Monastic Resistance: How did Henry respond?

Answer 16

Many arrested and eighteen executed.

Question 17

Why was there not more opposition?

Answer 17

1/ Many anticipated it would not last - London Priest - ‘For these things will not last long’
2/ Expected Henry to remain Catholic
3/ Self interest - offered clergy better career prospects + Vicar of Bray kept position from Henry VIII to Elizabeth - accused of changing sides. Said he will ‘die the vicar of bray’ and this principle he has always stood by.
4/ Did not notice changes