Religion + Humanism

Question 1

How did people view the church in Henry VII’s time? (2 examples)

Answer 1

Majority of English people were devoted to the church - if they did not follow the Catholic teachings they would go to hell
The 7 sacraments were an important part to many people’s lives

Question 2

What were the 7 sacraments in Tudor England?

Answer 2

Eucharist
Baptism
Holy Orders
Confirmation
Marriage
Confession
Unction (anointing of the sick)

Question 3

What is transubstantiation?

Answer 3

A Catholic belief that the bread and wine during Eucharist physically changes into the body and blood of Jesus Christ

Question 4

What were guilds and confraternities?

Answer 4

Voluntary associations created to promote the works of Christian charity and devotion to the church

Question 5

Who were the Clergy and Laity?

Answer 5

Clergy - Members of the Catholic Church
Laity - Ordinary people

Question 6

What is a Stipend?

Answer 6

Payment received by a priest for his appointment to a parish

Question 7

What is a Diocese?

Answer 7

An area of land under the care of a bishop

Question 8

What was an Indulgence?

Answer 8

A document issued with the Pope’s authority - stating someone’s punishment in purgatory

Question 9

What is an example of Tudor society taking great pride in the Church buildings?

Answer 9

1501 - in Louth, Lincolnshire - over £300 was raised to repair the church

Question 10

Why was anti-clericalism (challenging the church) somewhat prominent?

Answer 10

Many believed the church was corrupt + abused their power

Question 11

What were 4 examples of the Catholic Church abusing their power?

Answer 11

Pluralism (holding more than 1 position)
Absenteeism (Not being in your parish yet claiming the Stipend)
Immorality (Being married + having children)
Ignorance (Lacking a basic understanding of Catholicism)

Question 12

What was Humanism?

Answer 12

A belief that the potential and power of humankind can accomplish anything through education - rose during the Renaissance

Question 13

Which two classical philosophers did Humanists look for inspiration?

Answer 13

Aristotle + Plato

Question 14

Which three humanists did Henry VII support and what did they do?

Answer 14

Polydore Vergil - wrote a history of England
John Skelton - Wrote a positive book on Henry VII’s rule
John Colet - Allowed to found St. Paul’s School

Question 15

Which particular corruption within the Catholic Church did humanists criticise?

Answer 15

Sales of indulgences - exploited the poor to fund rich, lavish lifestyles of the clergy

Question 16

Who was Erasmus and what was his importance in the rise of Humanism within Tudor England?

Answer 16

A leading Dutch humanist who visited England in 1499
Met with English Humanists (Skelton, Colet etc)
Wrote the ‘Handbook of the Christian Knight’ (1501) - set out his guidelines for a good Christian life (prayer + reflection instead of church hierarchy + wealth)
Published ‘In Praise of Folly’ (1511) - targeting the corruption of monks

Question 17

When was printing introduced to England? What was the significance of this?

Answer 17

1476 - books began to be translated from Latin to English which opened up accessibility (nobility + gentry)
Print runs were still small and made little difference as vast majority of English population couldn’t read