Religious Changes Flashcards
What was the religious state of England in 1547?
There was still a lot of Catholic support, and it was known as ‘Catholicism without the Pope’, but although Edward was a minor, it was clear that he had strong protestant affiliations
Why were religious changes restricted under Edward?
Under the terms of Henry’s will, there should be no religious change until Edward turned 18
What were the first actions of Somerset that moved towards protestantism?
They attack many traditional Catholic practices and traditions. The clergy were ordered to preach in English, the chantries were dissolved, the book of homilies was issued so that those clergy who were unable to preach had a collection of model sermons to use and the Act of Six Articles was repealed, so by the end of 1547 much of the old Catholic Church had been dismantled
What were the royal injunctions?
They were issued in July 1547 and ordered the removal of superstitious images, and the government repealed the treason act to allow unlicensed preaching
Why was unlicensed preaching an issue?
It led to radical preaching which threatened law and order, and much of 1548 was spent issuing a series of proclamations attempting to control preaching and unrest. Lots of iconoclastic attacks on images and altars and public preaching was banned in September 1548 which further limited the spread of Protestantism
What was the First Act of Uniformity?
It was brought in due to the success of the campaign against Scotland at the battle of Pinkie, and saw the first prayer book being brought in, made official in the First Act of Uniformity in January 1549. The clergy were allowed to marry, communion would be said in English and the laity could receive bread and wine at communion, but some Catholic practices continued. There was an order to destroy remaining images, introductions of a new ordinal and the replacement of stone altars with wooden tables
What punishments were brought in for failure to use the new service after the first act of Uniformity?
The Clergy were forced to use the new service and could be fined or imprisoned for refusal but the laity were not punished for non-attendance to church
What resistance was there to Somerset’s religious reforms?
There was the Western rebellion in the summer of 1549
What religious changes had been made by Somerset’s fall?
In 1549 most Catholic practices were removed but moves to implement a more radical protestant faith had been slow and still met opposition
What difficulties did Northumberland face while attempting to impose protestantism?
Bishop Hooper was imprisoned for failing to stop preaching and was unhappy about having to swear an oath to the saints
What was the Second Act of Uniformity?
It was introduced in 1552 along with a new prayer book. Consubstantiation was put in place and a new Treason Act made it an offence to question the royal supremacy or any belief in the church
What were the 42 Articles?
They were submitted by Cranmer in 1552 but they never came into place as a result of Mary coming to the throne, although they do influence policy in Elizabeth I’s reign
Who was Mary I?
She was he daughter of Catherine of Aragon, and so a devout Catholic, making the restoration of Catholicism her most important aim when she became queen in 1553
Why was Mary’s accession welcomed?
It was predominantly because she was the legitimate heir to the throne, rather than her position as a Catholic
What was Mary’s original religious policy?
She first stated that she would not compel her subjects to follow her beliefs, but within a few months protestant clergy lost their jobs and Cranmer and other bishops were arrested
