Religion Flashcards
Renaissance ideas, reform of the Church, continuity and change by 1547
1
Q
What were the four main functions of the Catholic Church in Henry VII’s reign?
A
- played important political role both domestically and internationally
- provided employment and social advancement opportunities
- maintaining social control (hierarchy)
- meets spiritual needs of population
2
Q
What factors influenced the reform of the Church?
link to 6KQ
A
- individuals and groups
- weaknesses in the Church
3
Q
What factors influenced the reform of the Church: individuals and groups?
A
- Henry VIII
- reformers
- Anne Boleyn
- government officials
- propaganda
4
Q
How did Henry VIII influence the reform of the Church?
A
- from 1529 encouraged criticism of Pope and English clergy
- allowed reformers to speak openly as it suited his purpose of pressuring the Pope for divorce
- reformers granted release from persecution for doing so
5
Q
How significant is the role of Henry VIII in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, as he is the King and so has significant power
- but he is not directly encouraging Protestantism
6
Q
How did reformers influence the reform of the Church?
A
- reformers enabled to develop their ideas, increase support and gain influence within government and Church
- King’s divorce
- campaign to win European uni support
- growing influence of sympathetic individuals such as Anne Boleyn and Cromwell
7
Q
How significant is the role of reformers in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, as closer to the King = more influence
- but arguably, reformers wouldn’t have got significant roles without influence of Anne Boleyn
8
Q
How did Anne Boleyn influence the reform of the Church?
A
- drew Henry’s attention to work of Tyndale
- protected heretics like Robert Forman in London
- encouraged appointment of reformers to positions of power and influence within Church
- her influence led to appointment of Latimer and Shaxton to bishop’s posts
- influence led to selection of Cranmer as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1532
- despite her downfall and execution, Henry’s subsequent wife (Jane Seymour) was from a Protestant leaning family
9
Q
How significant is the role of Anne Boleyn in influencing Church reform?
A
- greatly, as her influence did not die with her
- she encouraged Protestantism
- arguably fueled Henry’s Protestant inclination
10
Q
How did government officials influence the reform of the Church?
A
- by 1536, individuals favouring Luther’s reforms were firmly established in gov.
- and able to start influencing religious debate at court, despite Henry’s aversion to doctrine changes
- preachers such as Bale, Crome and Barnes spread Protestant teachings in London
- Cranmer encouraged Protestantism in Suffolk, Essex and Kent
11
Q
How significant is the role of government officials in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, as power = influence over Henry
- start religious debate at court
- encouragement of reformers
12
Q
How did propaganda influence the reform of the Church?
A
- government actively promoted Reformation
- preambles to the Acts phrased in way that appealed to the Bible and early history of Church, where temporal leaders had political control over Church
- conservatives published propaganda to emphasise necessity of obedience to king
- pamphlet (‘True Obedience’ - necessary hierarchy of obedience in society) by Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester and one of king’s secretaries
13
Q
How significant is the role of propaganda in influencing Church reform?
A
- large-ish / fairly, as reinforces Henry as leader of Church
14
Q
What factors influenced the reform of the Church: weaknesses in the Church?
A
- corruption
- anticlericalism
- decline of monasticism
- possible early English Protestantism
15
Q
How did corruption within the Church influence the reform of the Church?
A
- range of corruption offences within Church
- pluralism (receiving profits from more than one post)
- simony (purchase of Church office)
- non-residence (receiving profits for post but not present to perform duties)
- best example is Wolsey
- many other clergymen corrupt
16
Q
How significant is the role of corruption within the Church in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, as various clergy were corrupt, which puts more pressure on them/reduces their credibility = decreases influence of Catholicism
17
Q
How did anticlericalism influence the reform of the Church?
A
- some common lawyers objected to influence of canon law/Church law
- objections to privileges of clergy
- death of Richard Hunne (1514)
- found dead in Bishop of London’s prison, staged to look like he killed himself, but was actually murdered as result of torture gone wrong
- disastrous for reputation of Church in the short term
- however, unlikely to be at forefront of minds of critics of Church in 1530s-40
18
Q
How significant is the role of anticlericalism in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, but can argue that the Hunne case of 1514 was not very relevant in 1530s
- also objection of Church law and clergy privileges
19
Q
How did the decline of monasticism influence the reform of the Church?
A
- argued that operation of religious houses was open to criticism
- reasons to dissolve monasteries existed by 1530s
- Wolsey secured dissolution of 20 houses in 1520s to fund establishment of Cardinal College
- argued that larger monasteries had become substantial businesses with huge resources
- easy and quick to dissolve monasteries support argument
- however, some orders such as Observant Franciscans and Bridgettines were doing well right up until final dissolution
20
Q
How significant is the role of decline in monasticism in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, as Wolsey practically started dissolution of monasteries in 1520s
- ability to close monasteries easily and quickly shows the decline, plus that they were more business-like
21
Q
How did early English Protestantism influence the reform of the Church?
A
- after Martin Luther’s attack on Catholic Church starting in 1517, no substantial movement toward Protestantism
- some Lollard beliefs remained
- nucleus of future reformers in Cambridge in 1520s who met for religious discussions
- leading figure was Barnes
- most influential member was Cranmer
22
Q
How significant is the role of early English Protestantism in influencing Church reform?
A
- limited, as little evidence to support committed Protestantism, despite Cranmer influence
23
Q
How did Erasmianism influence the reform of the Church?
A
- argued that years after 1529 showed group of humanists with ideals based on ideas of Erasmus helping to shape royal policy
- but, More and Bishop Fisher died for their opposition to religious changes
- some reformers has humanist connections, including Cranmer
- but not all reformers were humanists
- not all humanists were reformers, or went along with reforms in order to maintain their lives
- humanist approach to reform persisted during final years of Henry VIII’s reign
- Cranmer continued to enjoy king’s favour despite attack from enemies such as Duke of Norfolk
- Henry turned to humanists Cheke to tutor Edward, and Ascham to tutor Elizabeth
- humanist circle around Katherine Parr, who had a humanist education
24
Q
How significant is the role of Erasmianism in influencing Church reform?
A
- fairly, as influence of Cranmer and Katherine Parr, but not completely humanist reform
25
What was structural reform?
relating to the arrangement of and relations between parts of a complex whole
- positions of power being changed
- e.g. positions of clergy etc, buildings and religious houses
26
What was doctrinal reform?
beliefs or set of beliefs of the Church
- e.g. beliefs about transubstantiation
- beliefs held by popular people
27
What were the key events of the Reformation?
(both Protestant and Catholic)
- 1534
- Act of Supremacy
- Cromwell appointed Viceregent in Sprirtuals
- 1536
- Royal Injunctions
- The Ten Articles of Faith
- 1537
- first official translation of Bible in English was published
- a Bishop's Book is published
- 1538
- pilgrimages and veneration of relics were condemned as 'works devised by men's fantasies'
- extension of Royal injunctions
- 1539
- The Six Articles Act
- first edition of the Great Bible
- 1543
- King's Book
- Act for the Advancement of True Religion
General:
- six new areas under jurisdiction of a bishop were created
- spiritual jurisdiction continued in hands of archbishops and bishops
- Cromwell's waning influence
28
What was the 1534 Act of Supremacy?
confirms Henry VIII is Supreme Head of the Church of England
29
What did Cromwell's appointment as Viceregent in Spirituals mean?
- he was second only to the king
- outranked archbishops and bishops
- considerable power over Church
- position died with him
30
What were the 1536 Royal Injunctions?
- began attack on traditional religious practices
- extended in 1538
- encouraged more moral conduct
- restriction on number of holy days
- discouraged pilgrimage
- ordered clergy to follow Ten Articles and explain them to their congregation
31
What were the 1536 Ten Articles of Faith?
- 'devised by the King's highness' majesty to establish Christian quietness and unity'
- included some Lutheran ideas
- retained strongly Catholic elements
- some aspects were vague
- showed both Lutheran and Catholic influences
32
What did the publication of the first official translation of the Bible in English in 1537 mean?
- based very much on the work of Tyndale
- Henry persuaded by Cranmer to sanction it
- royal proclamation in 1538 ordered that a copy should be in every parish church
- distinctly Protestant
- laid foundations for variety of religious beliefs that appeared in 16th century
33
What did the publication of A Bishop's Book in 1537 mean?
- offered interpretations and advice
- attacked abuses and superstitions associated with the Church
- encouraged Protestant reformers
- restored the four sacraments omitted from the Ten Articles, but were given lower status
- more conservative than Ten Articles
34
What was the extension of the Royal injunctions in 1538?
required each parish church to acquire an English Bible
35
What did the condemnation of pilgrimages and veneration of relics and images in 1538 mean?
- clergy who had upheld the virtues of pilgrimages, relics etc were required to publicy recant
36
What was the 1539 Six Articles Act?
- reasserted Catholic doctrine
- denial of transubstantiation was deemed heretical
- founded on assumption that there had been too much religious controversy, which undermined the good ordering of society
37
What did the appearance of the first edition of the Great Bible in 1539 mean?
- had a little page showing Henry VIII, offering word of God on one hand to Cranmer and bishops, and the other hand to Cromwell and other politicians
- saying that Henry is next down from God, and superior and Head of Church
38
What was the 1543 King's Book?
- revised the Bishop's Book
- emphasis largely conservative
- some Lutheran hints
39
What was the 1543 Act for the Advancement of True Religion?
- restricted the public reading of the Bible to upper class nobles
- as Henry was becoming fearful of allowing the 'wrong sorts of people to read the wrong parts of the Bible'
- feared loosening of social control
40
How Protestant was the Reformation?
- by 1540s more Catholic, due to Henry's fear of too much reform and lack of social control
- overall generally more Protestant
- Cromwell's downfall = less Protestant
- Henry VIII still Catholic, only reformed out of convenience for divorce
41
What was the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
the closing of religious houses and monasteries in England and Wales by 1540
42
What were the factors that caused the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
- powerful reputation of monasteries within the Church
- abuses and corruption of monasteries
- wealth of the monasteries
- land of the monasteries
- monasteries were reminders of the Catholic Church
- main reason for monasteries was not in keeping with new Protestant theology
43
How did the powerful reputation of monasteries within the Church help cause their dissolution?
- had been treated with awe and respect
- monks, nuns and other members of regular clergy set themselves apart from the community
44
How did the abuses and corruption of the monasteries help cause their dissolution?
- by 16th century, high regard had declined
- originally those who dedicated their lives to prayer lived simple lives, but some had acquired servants and luxuries
- Henry ordered inspections of religious houses, and found abuses were common
- Cromwell had ordered the inspectors to find the most damaging pieces of evidence, even using gossip
45
How did the wealth of the monasteries help cause their dissolution?
- 1535 Cromwell commissioned a survey of the property and value of smaller monasteries
- survey said they had the potential to double Crown's annual income
- Henry needed money to further his ambitions abroad, for which Henry wouldn't use Parliament, as it wouldn't support war
46
How did the land of the monasteries help cause their dissolution?
- seizure of monastic lands would also give the Crown additional property to distribute as a way of buying support from nobility and gentry
- ensure loyalty
47
How did the fact that monasteries were reminders of the Catholic Church help cause their dissolution?
although monks and nuns had been forced to swear an oath recognising Henry as head of Church, they were potential centres of resistance to royal supremacy
48
How did the fact that the main reason for monasteries was not in keeping with Protestant theology help causes their dissolution?
- monasteries were deemed outdated and irrelevant institutions
- not really needed in society anymore
49
What was the process of the dissolution?
- 1534
- Act of First Fruits and Tenths
- Act of Supremacy
- 1535
- Valor Ecclesiasticus
- second commission
- 1536
- gaining evidence for dissolution
- Act of Parliament
- 1537 - 38
- closures continued, but some religious houses bribed officials to overlook them temporarily
- opposition of Carthusian monks to dissolution led to their execution on Henry's orders
- 1539
- Parliament passed the Act for the Dissolution of Larger Monasteries
- extending closures to all religious houses except chantries
- 1540
- by March 1540, all remaining religious houses had been dissolved
- the Court of augmentations was established, with Richard Rich as Chancellor, to handle the property and income from the dissolved monasteries
50
In summary, what was the process of the Dissolution?
- gathered evidence to show religious houses were unfit to continue
- began to dissolve smaller monasteries
- movements made to abolish the rest
51
What were the effects of the Dissolution?
- loss of tradition
- the monetary benefit for the King and nobility
- limited long term financial independence for Crown
- strengthen nobility
- Protestantism benefited
- unemployment
- impact on education
52
How did the Dissolution effect tradition?
- within 5 years, Cromwell had ended tradition of English monasticism that had been going for 5 centuries
- many monastic buildings fell into disrepair, while others were sold off to become houses for the wealthy
- 'vandalism' because religious houses had their valuables melted down, regardless of religious worth
53
How widespread was the impact of loss of tradition and how significant was it?
- national removal of English monasticism
- fairly significant as destroyed long standing tradition
- could cause anger?
54
How did the Dissolution effect the monetary gains for the King and nobility?
- Henry's seizure of lands and assets brought him great wealth
- total value of dissolution amounted to 10% of entire wealth of kingdom
- biggest example of land redistribution since 1066
- money used to finance Henry's ambitious foreign policy
55
How widespread was the impact of the monetary gains for the King and nobility and how significant was it?
- Henry had a massive influx of wealth
- very significant as it gave Henry the means to fund foreign policy
- but he ended up spending too much
- not significantly widespread, as main beneficiaries were the King and nobility
56
How did the Dissolution effect the financial independence of the Crown?
- as cost of war continued and escalated, Henry and his successors sold off monastic lands to raise money
- usually sold off at full market value, very little given as rewards
- after fall of Cromwell, land was sold rapidly
- more than half of the monastic land was sold off between 1543 and 1547
57
How widespread was the impact of the limited long term financial independence of the Crown and how significant was it?
- Crown lost control of these lands and the possibility of collecting taxes in the future
- very widespread as the land was all over the country
58
How did the Dissolution effect the strength of the nobility?
- much of the property was bought by members of nobility to strengthen their existing regional holdings
- also bought by lesser gentry as a way of establishing their presence in local community
59
How widespread was the impact of the increase in strength of the nobility and how significant was it?
- widespread as all over the country
- significant to a large extent as the increase in influence of the gentry illustrated an important change in society from traditional ruling elite to more widely-based rule
- increase in strength of nobility in general meant they had more power
- possible threat in future?
60
How did the Dissolution effect Protestantism?
Protestants benefited as it limited the possibility of a return to Catholicism in England
61
How widespread was the impact of the Dissolution on Protestantism and how significant was it?
- widespread, all over the country
- fairly significant, as limited potential to be Catholic again
62
How did the Dissolution effect unemployment?
- main losers were inhabitants of monasteries and to some extent, the local communities around them
- monasteries offered services to people living nearby
- these services were not entirely taken over by other institutions
- monks and nuns lost their work and accommodation, but compensated with pensions or one off payments
- one monk still receiving pension in 1607 (significant as wasn't Tudor reign anymore)
- 1/5 of ex-monks able to secure paid positions within the Church
63
How widespread was the impact of unemployment and how significant was it?
- very widespread as all over country
- very significant, as had to compensate monks and nuns, even until 1607 in the Stuart reign
- although can be argued that it did not contribute to increase in poverty, as impact on each local community was not that great
- there were also opportunities within the church or homes of Catholic families that could be taken up
64
How did the Dissolution effect education?
- monasteries were where sons and daughters of well-off families may go to receive education
- libraries that were established there were broken up (collectors or burned)
- some new cathedrals were founded from what had been religious institutions
- e.g. Peterborough Cathedral
- some schools that had been attached reopened
65
How widespread was the impact of education and how significant was it?
- due to destruction, well-off families had to find other places to send their children for education
- partially significant as mainly effected well-off families
- fairly widespread
66
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(1)
- some aspects of English Church in 1547 would have been familiar to someone at the start of Henry VIII's reign in 1509
- neutral
67
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(2)
- hierarchy of Church remained mostly intact
- little attempt to alter interior of churches
- services remained traditional
- passing of Six Articles act in 1539 and fall of Cromwell in 1540 had seriously weakened the cause of religious reform
- services still in Latin
- music still important
- Catholic
68
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(3)
- jurisdiction of Pope destroyed
- king more visible authority figure than Pope
- monasteries dissolved
- massive transfer of resources from Church to Crown
- parish churches required to possess English Bibles (though many did not)
- Protestant
69
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(4)
- by 1547, the Church of England had become established in its organisation under Henry VIII as Supreme Head
- rather than Pope
- monasteries had all been dissolved
- Protestant
70
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(5)
- religious culture had been influenced by humanism
- contributed to undermining of traditional Church
- by end of Henry VIII's reign, humanism set to become even more influential
- but, undoubted humanism of Catholic martyrs (e.g. More and Fisher) shows how diverse humanist influence had become
- wider Renaissance culture had become firmly entrenched at court and in circles of wealthy and well educated
- would retain its cultural prominence for the rest of the century
- Neutral
71
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(6)
- the Six Articles Act of 1539 brought to a temporary end the gradual process of introducing Protestant beliefs
- reintroduced a strongly Catholic interpretation into Church services
- enforced Catholic beliefs about transubstantiation
- emphasises seven sacraments of the Catholic Church as essential for salvation
- Catholic
72
What was religion like in England by 1547?
Plot on a line of Catholic > Neutral > Protestant
(7)
- reaction against Protestant ideas was another indication that the English Reformation would not progress as smoothly as some on the continent
- fall of Cromwell and apparent success of pro-Catholic conservative faction seemed to mark new stage in developments
73
