The impact of social and religious changes under Mary Flashcards
what was the significance of religious change under Mary?
There was the general assumption that Mary would restore Catholicism, her reign was fuelled by a willing populous.
what were key problems that Mary would face when it came to religious change?
Protestantism, though it was a minority faith it amassed a lot of power.
The protestant Church of England was reformed by law
Many members of the elites had benefitted from the religious change.
Though, Mary was cautious with how she dealt with the bishops, 7 bishops were deprived of their livings.
Though, Mary would have a legislative attack on the clergy, the laws under Edward were repealed, the clergy who were married were deprived of their livings.
Though, Mary had to accept that in order to bring about these legislative changes she would have to accept her own supremacy, going against her own beliefs.
how did Mary deal with the religious change?
It was believed that the ex-monastic land would be in the hands of the Catholic Church, the issue was brought up in the parliament of 54 and the matter fell into private hands. The Pope also wanted to submit to Rome before such matters could take place, Cardinal Pole arrived in England in November 1554 to take up the position as legate. The Royal assent was given before poles arrival and the acts of attainder we repealed. Though, until this matter was decided there could be no religious settlement, Mary sided with Pole and even threatened to abdicate.
how did Mary deal with religious change for the rest of her reign?
In January 1555, the act of repeal which revoked the royal supremacy was passed, though Pole’s views surrounding the monastic land made him a suspicious figure. Mary had also been forced to acknowledge the juridiction of statute law in matters surrounding religion.
The pope died in 1555 and was succeeded by the anti-spanish Paul 4th, he regarded Pole as a heroic and was hostile towards Mary’s husband Phillip. This was demonstrated when he was hostile towards the Spanish side of the war.
Paul 4th dismissed Pole as Papal legate in 1557, the pope continued to target Pole for heresy, the pope named a new legate William Peto. Though, Mary trusted Pole and refused to trust the papal authority that dismissed Pole.
what was significant about the burning of heretics?
This led to Mary being called “bloody mary” due to her legacy of burnings.
Around 280 protestants were burned at the stake, these included three bishops at the time of Mary’s accession Cranmer, Hooper and Ridley. In total 21 clergy men suffered from such events.
the deaths did seem to cause widespread sympathy as these people were seen to be martyrs, for example Rowland Taylor was viewed as such.
The council began to worry about such burnings, this policy did nothing for the reputation of Mary.
what is significant about Foxe’s “Book of Martyr’s”?
This was first published in 1563 and went through 5 editions throughout the reign of Elizabeth, this book became popular and thus Mary was condemned for her actions.
what is significant about the geography of martyrdom?
There were 60 burnings in London which displays the Protestant penetration there. The other key locations were in south-east England, this where more than 3/4 of protestants lived. There were no burning in places such as Durham.
what is significant about Mary’s other religious reforms?
Her policy was not purely repressive, there were a number of pastoral responsibilities within the church, Pole’s legatine synod of 1555-56 made his expectations clear, bishops were to live in their dioceses and they were to preach, oversee the religious life of their parishes. Pole’s success was limited by the people committed to the parish, though in some places such as London there were some parishes that embraced the change.
to what extent had Mary transformed the religious situation by 1558?
The bulk of the country did remain Catholic in sentiment, given more time Mary may have been able to forge greater religious change.
what issues caused Mary’s reign to struggle economically?
- the rapid increase in the population continued to cause pressure.
- debasement of the coinage
- harvest failures in 1555-56, these brought severe food shortages
- the impact of the “sweating illness”, this was the worse illness since the Black Death.
what were key financial reforms during this time?
There was a change in the way that finances were dealt with in England, the court of Exchequer took over the courts of fruit and tenths and the court of augmentations.
Mary made the mistake of remitting the final part of Edward’s last subsidy, this bought her cheap popularity at a financial cost.
there was the long term plan for the security of the crown, which was drawn up as recoinage from 1556-58, though this would be implemented under Elizabeth.
There was also the new book of rates, though the benefits of this was enjoyed by Elizabeth.
what was the significance of poor relief during this time?
This is an area where the government of Mary did become more active, there was an emphasise placed on converting pasture land to tillage, and there was an emphasis placed on laws against grain hoarders.
what was the significance of the Wyatt’s Rebellion?
The prospect of the Spanish marriage was enough to evoke a rebellion, even though the Spanish treaty of 1554 was designed to limit the influence of the Spanish.
There were 4 small risings in Devon, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire and Kent. The fact that there was no rebellion in Norfolk is a sign that they were still suffering from the affects of the 1549 rebellion.
Though the Wyatt Rebellion raised a force of 3000 men.
THE KEY MOTIVES:
- they were motivated by religion, Maidstone was a key protestant area
- Xenophobia
- a decline the the cloth industry, might have caused some poorer rebels to revolt
- attracted some gentry who had lost office within the country.
The resentment of the royal marriage was the main factor behind the rebellion, there was also the involvement of LJG’s father.
what were the key events of the Wyatt Rebellion?
25th January- Rebellion is raised
28th January- Norfolk is forced to retreat
1st Feb- Queen rallies support with a speech at Guildhall
3rd Feb- rebels reach southwark, this is a critical turning point in the rebellion.
6th Feb- revels move upwards
7th Feb- Wyatt surrenders at Ludgate.
why was the rebellion significant?
- the opinions of protestants could not be ignored
- demonstrated the strong suspicion of the Spanish marriage
- it resulted in the execution of LJG, an innocent victim of her father’s involvement.
- Elizabeth was also arrested and confined to the tower, the arguments against her did not amount to anything and she was later released, people such as Gardiner did not want to find out the whole truth as they were weary that Elizabeth might one day become Queen.
