Religon + Religious change under Edward

Question 1

How long did Edward ‘reign’ for + what direction did religion move in?

Answer 1

Edward was king from 1547-1553 + Religious policy under Edward saw a considerable move in the protestant direction.

The impact of religious change under Edwards short reign was profound - never before in English history had population been subjected to so much religious change so rapidly.

Question 2

Who were Edwards 2 ‘Regents’ ?

Answer 2

Duke of Somerset 1547-49
Duke of Northumberland 1550-1553

(Both his Uncles)

Question 3

What was Edwards Religious upbringing like?

Answer 3

Edward was educated by predominantly protestants such as Richard Cox + John Cheke and from the age of 13 had extremely strong and devised protestant views.

Question 4

How rapid was religious change under Somerset as Lord Protectorate from 1547-1549?

Answer 4

Fom 1547 under Somerset religious change was cautious and gradually brought Catholicism + traditionalist idea under attack. Shown via;

• Visitations of parish churches to investigate the state of clergy + doctrine/practice and the clergy were ordered to preach in English + have English bibles.

The Treason act of Henry 8th was repealed which allowed free discussion of religious ideas

Question 5

What religious change took place under Somerset as Lord Protectorate from 1547 - 1550?

Answer 5

From 1547 Somerset introduced more clear forms of Protestantism but remained moderate

The First Prayer Book written by the protestant Bishop Canner made Law by First Act of uniformity in which stated that;

• Services had to be conducted in English not Latin
• Only 5 sacraments were defined a
• New treason act to strengthen the churches power
• Orders to destroy remaining images and even destructions of stain glass windows and paintings.
• However Transubstantiation was upheld and traditional vestments remained exhibiting that it was catholic elements which remained.

The extent of religious change via The New Prayer Book of 1552 + removal of images from churches can be seen as it sparked causation for the Western Rebellion 1549 whereby rebels produced list of articles demanding;

• Reintroduction of Catholicism via the reinstatement of Henry8 Act of Six Articles
• The use of Latin + Holy Communion.

Question 6

Overall what were the aims of Somerset’s approach to religious policies?

Answer 6

Somerset hoped the protestant reforms would please the majority of reformers without antagonising the Catholic population. In doing so that it would held end uncertainty within the church however the balance between the two sides actually contributed to this uncertainty.

Question 7

What religious change took place under Northumberland as Lord Cheif of the council from 1550-1553?

Answer 7

After the power struggle + Somerset’s fall from power in 1549 led to the emergence of Northumberland.

Northumberland’s regency was significant as by this point Edward was 13. His strong views toward religion + maturity meant that he increasingly governed using his own direction so many eventually sided with radical reformers and Edward himself.

Under N full scale Protestantism was introduced from 1550 + the Second Prayer Book was made law by the Act of Uniformity in 1552 which stated;

• The Clergy not attending services were fined and imprisoned
• Consubstantiation confirmed
• Prayers for dead + traditional vestments removed

Question 8

What was the response to Northumberland’s religious policy from 1550-1553?

Answer 8

There was a lack of opposition due to the loss of many spiritual leaders and Edwards strong protestant and reformist views heavily contributed to the stamping down of Catholicism in England.

However it was successfully imposed and there was by large acceptance of the new religious practices and growth of genuine protestant congregation.

Question 9

Overall how much religious change/ transformation took place under Edward 6th under Somerset + Northumberland?

Answer 9

• Protestantism was successfully imposed and there was by large acceptance of the new religious practices and growth of genuine protestant congregation.
• However Edward’s early death led to further complications +the inevitable unravelling of a clear direction of religion upon Mary’s succession as a catholic queen.
• Nevertheless, most significantly there was finally opposite clarify on the direction of movement in England which had not been evident ever since the early years of Henry 8ths reign before the Break with Rome.
• Consequently religion was completely transformed in this sense from Henry 8ths reign to Edwards short reign.

Question 10

What were the types of Reformist ideals under Edward?

Answer 10

Edwards reign witnessed the contest between 2 reforming traditions;

• The tradition of Evangelical Humanism associated w those defined by teachings of Erasmus
• More radical forms of Protestantism

‘Moderate Humanism’ despite being weakened by the divisions of the 1530 still exerted some key influence
Ie Archbishop Canner had been influenced by humanism + the 1547 Royal Injunctions required each parish to have a copy of the paraphrases of Erasmus.

Question 11

Explain Northumberland strategy toward religious change

Answer 11

Northumberland had a twofold strategy;

• He wished to continue the protestant reforms initiated by Somerset
• He sought to plunder more of the church’s wealth

His wider political aims shaped a more radical approach to Protestantism than expected as seen through the 2nd Book of Common Prayer he introduced in 1552

The Crown was still in financial difficulties after ruinous expenditure of Somerset so perused systematic policy of stripping assets and extracting wealth from churches and plundering property of Bishops