Section C: Changes in Governance at the Centre

Question 1

What were Church and state relationships like prior to 1529?

Answer 1

• Church collected their own taxes, Fruits and Tenths which were sent to the Pope in Rome
• Church courts existed, abused by members of clergy and offered sanctuary for criminals to avoid death
• Important clergy members sat in House of Lords

Question 2

How did the 1534 Act of Supremacy change relationships with the Church?

Answer 2

• Officially stated the Monarch was the head of the Church, confirmed earlier acts in 32 & 33 which stopped taxes and Church courts
• Treason Act 1534 made challenging the monarchs religious supremacy a crime punishable by death
• Dissolution of the monasteries

Question 3

How did relations with the Church change under Edward and Mary?

Answer 3

• Most protestant era under Edward, common book of prayer in 1549 introduced in English
• Mary was devout Catholic, Repeal for the Act of Supremacy in 1554, reinstated Catholicism and Pope, however former lands could not be returned

Question 4

How did Church relations change under Elizabeth?

Answer 4

• Act of Royal Supremacy in 1559, Elizabeth was the Supreme Governor of the Church
• Religious settlement, e.g. churches used a communion table rather than an altar, protestant view of worship in Parish Churches
• Both Puritans and extreme Catholics who did not follow this were punished, most executions for religious reasons

Question 5

How did relationships between Parliament and the Crown change under Henry VII?

Answer 5

• Used to legitimize his position as monarch, e.g. the Acts of Attainder
• Used to raise taxes for war and defence, granted all times except 1504 when there was fear of a tax revolt, lesser amount still given
• Only called 7 times in 24 years

Question 6

How did relationships between Parliament and the Crown change under Henry VIII?

Answer 6

• Used to grant taxation to fund war, done every time except for 1523 because they had given so many
• Use changed after 1529, 5 sessions called in order to get an annulment with Catherine of Aragon
• Used to pass the Act of Supremacy and Treason Act, Parliament only called 9 times

Question 7

How did relationships between Parliament and the Crown change under Elizabeth?

Answer 7

• Met infrequently before 1585, then used for taxation for war with Spain, called 10 times during reign
• Concerned with Elizabeth’s use of monopolies to grant rewards, led to corruption
• 1601, mob burst into parliament when Elizabeth wanted taxation, demanded something be done
• Elizabeth met with MPs and gave a speech admitting errors and withdrew some
• Got the taxation, but was concerned with opposition