Religion under Henry VII Flashcards
What religion did society live under during the reign of Henry VII?
The Catholic church
There were also over 8000 parish churches and they were the focus of an individual’s religious experience.
What were guild and confraternities?
They offered charity and the chance for ordinary people to contribute to the good of their local community.
How did the church help political elites?
It made it easier for social and political elites to maintain social control, and gave a few the opportunity to advance themselves socially through the attainment of high offices in the church.
The church had significant political power in terms of international relations and domestic matters.
What was the pope’s relationship with the Church of England.
The pope had the highest position in the church.
Although Henry VII did seek a dispensation from the pope through John Morton to marry Elizabeth of York, the pope did little to interfere with the running of the Church of England.
What was relationship between the church and state?
Erastian, the belief that the State had authority over the Church.
How was the Church administered?
Through two the provinces of Canterbury and York under the jurisdiction of an archbishop.
They were split up into 17 diocese under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
Who made up the majority of the clergy?
They were often chosen from from the higher ranks of the aristocracy.
senior clergymen were usually well educated and had legal training.
e.g. the role of the chancellor (highest adviser to the king) was held by a clergyman.
How were parish churches important?
Parish churches contributed the the communal aspect of religion. This was important as people believed prayers made together, as part of a collective were more powerful than those from an individual.
How did parish churches contribute to religious experience?
It offered ways an individual could acquire grace, reach heaven and minimise the time a soul would spend in purgatory.
What were the 7 sacraments?
It was necessary for an individual to observe as many of these in order to reach heaven.
They included baptism, confirmation, penance, marriage, Eucharist etc.
What was Eucharist?
In a process known as transubstantiation the priest consecrated bread and wine and they believed it transformed into the body and blood of christ.
Why was Eucharist significant?
It was a sacrifice performed by the priest on behalf of the community and it was performed by the whole community (added to the communal religious experience).
What was a benefactor?
A person who made a charitable donation to the church.
It was mainly lay people who funded the rebuilding of churches, paid for objects which accompanied services.
Why were benefactors significant to the religious experience?
Donations ensured the remembrance of the benefactor and reduced the benefactor’s time in purgatory
Why were confraternities significant?
They were important to the communal aspect of religion.
They gathered to provide financial support for the church.
