Religious change 1547 - 1558

Question 1

Who was head of the Church of England in Henry’s reign?

Answer 1

Henry VIII

Question 2

Was Henry Protestant or Catholic?

Answer 2

Catholic

Question 3

What was the dissolution of the monasteries and when did it occur?

Answer 3

It was Henry VIII’s efforts to disband Catholic monasteries, priories, convents and friaries. He took their income, disposed of their assets, and reassigned or dismissed their former members and functions. It occurred predominantly between 1536 and 1541.

Question 4

Were Edward’s tutors Protestant or Catholic?

Answer 4

Protestant

Question 5

Provide evidence that suggests Edward was religiously opinionated from a young age

Answer 5

In one of his essays he referred to the faithful as ‘we’, which was later crossed out by his tutor and replaced with ‘they’.

Question 6

Which 6 key religious changes were implemented under Edward’s reign in 1547?

Answer 6

• Royal visitation
• Book of Homilies and Erasmus’ Paraphrases to be placed in every church
• Royal Injunctions
• Chantries Act
• Act of 6 Articles
• Treason Act repealed

Question 7

What religious changes did Edward introduce in

a) July 1547
b) November 1547

Answer 7

a) Book of Homilies and Royal Injunctions
b) Dissolution of the chantries

Question 8

What approach did Somerset take to implementing the Protestant reformation at the beginning of Edward’s reign and what was the response from the Church?

Answer 8

Initially, Somerset’s policy was cautious and slow as the old practices were attacked but there was little evidence of putting in place a fully reformed church.

The bishops were divided in their response. Gardiner opposed change whilst most others were undecided. The majority of the lower clergy were opposed to change, as were much of the population.

Question 9

What happened as part of Royal Visitation?

Answer 9

Commissioners were sent to all bishoprics to examine the clergy, doctrine and practices of the Church. Episcopal authority was suspended until the visitation was completed in the autumn.

(Episcopal = bishops)

Question 10

What were the Book of Homilies and Erasmus’ Paraphrases and who objected to them?

Answer 10

The Book of Homilies was a book of Protestant sermons and Erasmus’ Paraphrases were a summary of the new testament.

Stephen Gardiner and Bishop Bonner objected to them being placed in every church and were imprisoned.

Question 11

What happened as part of the Royal Injunctions?

Answer 11

Orders for all clergy to preach in English and have an English Bible were sent out.

Question 12

What was the Act of 6 Articles and why was it repealed in 1547?

Answer 12

The Act of 6 Articles had re-established Catholic teaching in 1539 and was repealed to make way for the Protestant reformation.

Question 13

What were the consequences of the Treason Act being repealed?

Answer 13

People could talk about religion freely

Radicals used it as an opportunity to spread their views (eg. Protestants made aggressive pamphlets and destroyed Catholic images)

Question 14

What did Edward change about church furniture in November 1550?

Answer 14

Stone altars were to be replaced with wooden tables.

Question 15

Why was it so crucial for the Privy Council to proceed cautiously with religious reform? What was the disadvantage of this?

Answer 15

• Many people argued that no significant changes should be put in place until Edward turned 18 (under the terms of Henry’s will).
• However, the cautious approach didn’t satisfy more radical elements of Protestantism.

Question 16

In what year were Images removed from churches and the First Book of Common Prayer introduced?

Answer 16

1548 (images in February, book in December)

Question 17

What 3 things were Churches instructed to do around the same time as the Book of Homilies was published?

Answer 17

1. Remove superstitious images
2. Conduct services in English
3. Preach every Sunday

Question 18

What were the two most notable actions of the parliament of 1547? What was the underlying reason for one of these?

Answer 18

Parliament passed the Chantries Act and repealed the Treason Act.

The underlying reason for the Chantries Act is believed to be in order to raise money to fun the war against Scotland.

Question 19

What does iconoclastic mean?

Answer 19

Criticising or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions

Question 20

What indicates that the legislation enforced between January and April 1548 to limit those who could preach (in response to the repealing of the Treason Act) was unsuccessful?

Answer 20

In September 1548, the Privy Council had to ban all public preaching .

Question 21

What meant that when parliament met in the autumn of 1548, the government was in a stronger position to introduce Protestant measures?

Answer 21

Success in Scotland

Question 22

What were the terms of the First Act of Uniformity (1549) (5)?

Which Catholic practices remained (3)?

Answer 22

1. Sacramanets now consisted of just communion, baptism, cofirmation, marriage and burial
2. Clergy were allowed to marry
3. Singing masses for the souls of the deas was not approved
4. Holy communion, matins and evensong were to be in English
5. The laity could receive both bread and wine at communion

However:

1. Fast days remained (as did some Holy Days)
2. The Catholic belief in purgatory remained
3. Worship of saints was not banned, only discouraged

Question 23

What did the government hope that the First Act of Uniformity would do? What did they instruct Bishops to do simultaneously?

Answer 23

They hoped it would satisfy the moderate reformers.

Bishops were instructed to carry out visitations to test whether the laity knew the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer.

Question 24

What did Bishop Hooper discover about his diocese of Gloucester?

How have Bishops’ visitations been viewed by historians?

Answer 24

Out of 311 clergy, 10 could not recite the Lord’s Prayer and 171 did not know the 10 commandments.

Some have argued this shows that the Protestant reformation was a difficult task, whilst others have suggested that the thoroughness and efficiency of such investigations is a sign that leadership in the Church were willing to carry out the reformation.

Question 25

True or false: Religious unrest in Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Hampshire and Oxforshire helped to bring down Somerset in the autumn of 1549.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

“The use of the old religion is forbidden by law, and the new is not yet printed in the atomachs of eleven out of twelve parts of the realm.” Who said this, in criticism of Somerset’s religious policy?

Answer 26

William Paget

Question 27

How far had the Protestant reformation progressed when Somerset was ousted from power?

Answer 27

Most of the old Catholic traditions had been attacked but moves to implement a more radical Protestant faith had occured only slowly.

Question 28

After the factional struggle in the Privy Council over the autumn and winter of 1549, what allowed further Protestant legislation to be introduced?

Answer 28

Northumberland’s triumph for control of the Council in January 1550

Question 29

What did the New Ordinal do and when was it introduced?

Answer 29

It revised the process for ordination of priests

1550

Question 30

Why was radical Protestant Hooper outraged by the New Reformed Ordinal? What did this result in?

Answer 30

Because clergy had to swear an oath to saints and were required to wear a white surplice

This resulted in a falling out with Ridley and Cranmer, leading to Hooper declining the post of Bishop of Gloucester and being imprisoned. Eventually, a compromise was reached and Hooper took up his post.

Question 31

When were Edward’s two Acts of Uniformity introduced and what was different about them?

Answer 31

1st: January 1549

Established the First Book of Common Prayer as the sole legal form of worship

2nd: April 1552

Established the Second Book of Common Prayer (from Jan 1552) and imposed penalties for unjustified absence from Sunday worship.

Question 32

What did the Second Act of Uniformity (of 1552) show? And what was the most noticeable move towards Protestantism?

Answer 32

The 2nd Act of Uniformity showed the challenges of imposing a new religion as it condemns the absence of people from church.

The most noticeable move towards Protestantism was the 2nd Common Prayer Book as it provided the basis for every service and was enforced.

Question 33

When did Northumberland further his grip on power and what did this allow him to do?

Answer 33

In 1551, allowing further religious changes to take place. Conservative bishops (such as Gardiner) were deprived of their sees, giving the reformists a majority among Bishops

Question 34

Why was November 1552 significant for religious change in England?

Answer 34

The Forty Two Articles were published, intending to summarise Anglican doctrine as it existed under Edward VI. It was largely the work of Thomas Cranmer.

Question 35

What evidence stipulates that Edward’s Protestant reformation had been largely unsuccessful during his time on the throne (5) ?

Answer 35

• He only reigned for 6 years and most major changes were only brought in towards the end of that time
• The Forty Two Articles never became law due to his death
• Imposing changes was not always easy, there was usually opposition
• The only areas where there is evidence of the new religion being welcomed was London and East Anglia
• The rapid restoration of Catholicism under Mary implies that the old religion maintained popularity

Question 36

What evidences implies that the Protestant reformation was successful?

Answer 36

• Compared with 1547, the Church had changed a lot not only due to the two Lord Protectors but also the influx of Protestant bishops and overseas theologians, such as Martin Bucer, who had visited the country.
• Officially, England was Protestand and Churchwarden reports show that the changes were implemented.
• The changes had left people confused and indifferent, often accepting the changes because they had to

Question 37

What did

a) Eamon Duffy
b) Ronald Hutton
c) David Loades

think of the Edwardian Protestant reformation?

Answer 37

a) “Used to obedience, many of them (ordinary people) accepted the changes, however unwelcome, as unavoidable.”
b) “Catholic prectices retained theit vitality in the parishes until the moment they were proscribed” and the government was so effective that “passive resistance wasn’t an option.”
c) Protestantism was “not a natural growth, it was highly artifical and imposed by authority; nevertheless it was successfully imposed.”

Question 38

What have historians studied in order to calculate the extent of support for the Protestant reformation and what has this shown?

Answer 38

They have studied wills from the period, which have indicated regional variations in support.

Eg. Only 8% of Kentish wills have a Protestant preamble in 1549, 27% in Suffolk over Edward’s whole reign

Question 39

What did the Proclamation on Religion (16th August 1553) say about Mary’s religious intentions?

Answer 39

“Her majesty will observe the Catholic religion she has professed all her life, and desires that all her subjects would quietly follow suit. However, she will nto compel any to this until further decisions are made. She commands her subjects to live together in Christian charity….” It also said that printers who had published the Bible in English/ texts that discuss controversial religious teaching should no longer do so.

Question 40

What visible religious changes occurred in August in Oxford and London after Mary came to the throne?

Answer 40

At Oxford, chalices reappeared and on 23rd August, an altar and cross were set up at St Nicholas Cole Abbey in London where a mass was said - 6 other churches followed suit in the capital the next day.

Question 41

What did Mary believe about Edward’s death and what did her stubborness stop her from understanding?

Answer 41

1. She thought that Edward’s death was a miracle from God.
2. She failed to understand the implications of abandoning Royal Supremacy and didn’t realise that most staunch Catholics had remained loyal to the Tudor state under both her father and half-brother and had profited considerably from events such as the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Question 42

What were Mary’s 7 religious aims?

Answer 42

1. undo the religious changes made since 1529
2. restore papal authority
3. restore traditional Catholic practices and belief in transubstantiation
4. res-establish religious houses that had been dissolved
5. end clerical marriage and restore the status of priests
6. secure a long term future for Catholicism by marrying and having children
7. persecute those who did not agree with her views

Question 43

True or false: Many Catholic figures were worried that Mary would rush ahead with Catholic reforms.

Answer 43

Gardiner was uncertain about restoring papal authority and Simon Renard expressed concerns about trying to restore former monastic property. Even Charles V and the pope were concerned that Mary would proceed too quickly.

Question 44

Who was arrested and in September 1553?

Answer 44

• Arrest of Archbishop Cranmer, Latimer, Hooper and Ridley

Question 45

When Parliament met in October 1553, what religious legislation did they pass and what did they refuse to repeal?

Answer 45

They passed the Act of Repeal, undoing all of Edward’s religious changed but refused to repeal the Act of Supremac, suggesting anti-papal feeling.

Question 46

What did Mary use her royal prerogative to do?

Answer 46

Suspend the Second Act of Uniformity and restore mass, in addition to giving up her title as supreme head of the Church.

Question 47

True or false: There was no opposition to Mary’s initial religious changes.

Answer 47

This is largely true, although some have argued that the Wyatt’s rebellion was partly a response to them. This view must be treated with caution, however, as the rebellion took place before most significant changes and the motives of the rebels were largely disdain for the prospect of the Spanish marriage.

Question 48

What religious policy was created in spring 1554 and what were the repercussions?

Answer 48

The Royal Injunctions, which restored Catholic doctrine eg. celibate priests, imagery and mass. This meant that many married priests were deprived of their jobs, although some were restored when they abandoned their wives. At the same time, many Protestant bishops were removed from office.

Question 49

Was there opposition to the heresy laws of April 1554?

Answer 49

Yes. Parliament objected to their reintoduction and did not agree until promises were made that former monastic lands would not be restored to the church.

The dispute can be viewed as a factional struggle (Gardiner vs Paget, because when Paget supported, they were passed) or as evidence of parliament’s concern for the sanctity of property rather than opposition to Catholicism.

Question 50

When was the Second Act of Repeal passed? What did this do and what does it show about Mary’s religious strategy?

Answer 50

November 1554

Repealed all religious legislation since 1529.

Mary was forced to compromise with landowners, with the Act protecting the property rights of those who had bought church lands. This demonstrated that Mary had to recofnise the authority of parliament and also that it would prevent a full-scale restoration as not all monasteries could be refounded.

Question 51

When did Cardinal Pole return to England?

Answer 51

November 1554

Question 52

Who was the first Protestant martyr and when was he executed?

Answer 52

Who was the first Protestant martyr and when did this happen?

Question 53

When were Latimer and Ridley burned for Heresy?

And when was Cardinal Pole appointed Archbishop of Canterbury?

Answer 53

October 1555

December 1555

Question 54

What impact did Bishop Stephen Gardiner’s death in November 1555 have on Mary?

Answer 54

It removed a restraining influence. He believed burning heretics was hardening opposition and persuaded Mary to burn less people than she wanted to. His death was followed by a sharp increase in burnings (274 in Mary’s last 3 years).

Question 55

Which notable Protestant figure was burnt at the stake on March 21st 1556? Why was this controversial?

Answer 55

Thomas Cranmer

He was first found guilty of heresy, then recanted his faith and accepted the Pope. However, Mary intervened and had him burnt anyway.

It is suggested that she had a personal hatred of Cranmer as he was the man who divorced her mother and father and he had supported Lady Jane Grey.

Question 56

When was Cardinal Pole recalled to Rome on charges of heresy? And what was Mary’s response?

Answer 56

February 1557

Mary refused to allow him to leave

Question 57

How many protestants did Mary burn at the stake in total?

Answer 57

284

Question 58

What is the ‘Book of Martyr’s’?

What does it claim about the impact of Mary’s burnings?

Answer 58

The Actes and Monuments, popularly known as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, is a documentation of the Protestants burnt by Mary, written by John Foxe (a Protestant) and first published in English in 1563.

It claims that those who went to watch the burnings were so impressed that they converted to Protestantism. The narrative has been used to suggest that it was the fires of Smithfield that ultimately turned England Protestant.

Question 59

True or false: Mary prevented Protestants from leaving the country so she could kill them.

Answer 59

False. She allowed a mass exodus of Protestants who travelled predominantly to Germany and Switzerland. There is said to have been around 800 in total.

Question 60

Why might some people claim that Mary has been unfairly nicknamed ‘Bloody Mary’? (2)

Answer 60

Much of the information we have of the time comes from John Foxe’s ‘Book of Martyrs’, which purposely demonises Mary.

A Protestant Elizabethan reign followed, meaning much of the documents written preceeding Mary’s death will have been biased.

Question 61

What do some people claim was an alterior motive for Mary’s burning of Thomas Cranmer in March 1556? Is it viewed as a success or failure?

Answer 61

Some claim she personally resented the man who allowed Henry to divorce his mother and supported Lady Jane Grey

However, once it was clear that Cranmer was going to be executed, he recanted his faith and support of LJG, making Mary appear cruel for burning him anyway

Question 62

True or false: Burnings took place in private.

Answer 62

False. They were a public spectacle, with some evidence showing that they were a good opportunity for Kent cherry growers to sell their produce. London magistrates had to issue orders for them to take place early in the day to reduce disruption and control numbers.

Question 63

Why did the majority of burnings take place in the South-East?

Answer 63

• There were higher numbers of Protestants here
• Local authorities were closer to London and more susceptible to pressure from central government

Question 64

What can be inferred from the fact that government sent many letters to JPs in the south, encouraging them to punish herectics?

Answer 64

• There was little enthusiasm for the persecutions

OR

• The declaration of war against France in 1557 delayed persecutions
• JPs were unpaid officials and didn’t place persecution above any other form of policy that they carried out

Question 65

What did Christopher Haigh say about the impact of the burnings on Mary’s popularity?

Answer 65

‘the persecution of Protestants was not a success; nor was it a disaster. If it did not help the Catholic cause, it did not do much harm’

Question 66

List 5 things that Cardinal Pole did to reform the church

Answer 66

1. ordered bishops to make regular visits to check on clerical behabiour
2. he was the driving force behind the London Synod, whoch stressed the importance of priests being resident so they could carry out responsibilities and the need to end abuses such as pluralism and nepotism
3. Pole ordered new publications eg. Catholic New Testament and a new Book of Homilies
4. he wanted seminaries to be established in every diocese to train future priests
5. after Gardiner’s death, he became Chancellor of Oxford Uni and asked for lists of young men suitable for priesthood

Question 67

In what area of Catholic reformation do most historians agree that Mary was unsuccessful?

Answer 67

Controlling Protestant literature. Much of it was printed abroad and smuggled in and the existence of 19,000 copies of the 2nd Prayer Book meant that underground services could be sustained. The Catholic Church did spondor sermons and pro-govt writers but the priority was to provide the clegy with necessary books and this hampered attempts to win the war of words.

Question 68

What evidence is there to suggest that Mary was successful in her Catholic reformation?

Answer 68

• Catholic worship returned speedily
• Parishioners showed their support for Catholicism by committing large sums to the process
• Rapid restoration of mass and church altars
• The length of time that Elizabeth took to enforce Protestantism is an indication of the success of the Marian regime.

Question 69

What evidence is there to suggest that Mary’s Catholic reformation was unsuccessful?

Answer 69

• There was a solid foundation of Catholicism anyway as Edward had been unsuccessful, her policies didn’t do much
• They couldn’t totally stem the flow of Protestant literature
• There was dissatifcation towards the Marian church due to long term neglect (little money for upkeep)
• Mary’s failure to produce an heir meant almost all her work was done when Elizabeth came to power