'The Mid-Tudor Crisis', 1547-1563: The Social Impact of Religious Changes Under Edward VI - Northumberland

Question 1

Timeline of main religious changes Northumberland made and other dates

Answer 1

• After 1540
- Church expenditure declines

• By 1547 (year Edward VI ascends)
- 20% of Londoners were Protestant
- People less likely to leave money to church in wills

• 1552
- More radical Book of Common Prayer

• January 1552
- Second Act of Uniformity
- Treason Act

• 1553
- Instructions issued

• January 1553
- Church begin confiscating church plate

• June 1553
- 42 Articles

Question 2

What were Northumberland’s aims for religious policies?

Answer 2

• To continue Protestant reforms initiated by Somerset
• To plunder more of the Church’s wealth

Question 3

What factors helped Northumberland, a cautious political figure, to pursue radical policies?

Answer 3

• Cranmer
- Began to move in more radical direction
- In 1552, Cranmer introduced the radical Book of Common Prayer

• Radical senior clergy gained more influence
- Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London
- John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester

• Edward VI
- Took role as head of Church seriously
- Devoted to destroy idolatry

Question 4

When was the more radical Book of Common Prayer introduced?

Answer 4

• 1552

Question 5

Which radical senior clergy were gaining more influence?

Answer 5

• Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London
• John Hooper, Bishop of Gloucester

Question 6

What religious reforms were passed/planned at the January 1552 Parliament?

Answer 6

• Treason Act
• Second Act of Uniformity
• Prayer Book
• 1553 instructions
• Attack on Church wealth

Question 7

Which parliament was responsible for issuing key religious reforms?

Answer 7

• January 1552 parliament

Question 8

Treason Act

Answer 8

• January 1552
• Became an offence to question the Royal Supremacy or any of the beliefs of the English Church

Question 9

The Second Act of Uniformity

Answer 9

• January 1552
• Became an offence for both clergy and laity not to attend Church of England services
• Offenders were to be fined or imprisoned

Question 10

Book of Common Prayer

Answer 10

• 1552
• Removed all traces of Catholicism and Mass
• The significance of the Eucharist (now referred to as the Last Supper) was reduced, more emphasis on it being a commemorative ceremony
• Ban on use of ‘popish’ vestments

Question 11

Instructions

Answer 11

• 1553
• Sent out to bishops instructing them to ensure that altars were replaced by communion tables, and that clergy should not wear vestments when taking services

Question 12

When were instructions on altars and vestments sent out to bishops?

Answer 12

• 1553

Question 13

42 Articles of Religion

Answer 13

• June 1553
• Published by Cranmer
• Laid out Protestant doctrine of Church

Question 14

When were the 42 Articles of Religion published?

Answer 14

• June 1553

Question 15

Give examples on the Crown attacking the Church’s wealth

Answer 15

• Systemic policy of asset stripping and plundering property of bishoprics
• In January 1553, Crown started to confiscate church plate
• The dioceses of Gloucester and Worcester were combined, with two thirds of the Worcester estate going to the Crown
• Plan, never implemented, to divide the bishopric of Durham and to appropriate much of its wealth to the Crown

Question 16

When did the Crown begin confiscating church plate?

Answer 16

• January 1553

Question 17

What impact did the Crown’s plundering of the Church have?

Answer 17

• Expenditure on church goods
- After 1540, expenditure on church goods declined
- People didn’t want to donate if their bequests would be confiscated by Crown

• Evidence from wills
- By Edward VI’s reign, people less likely to leave money to parish church

Question 18

When did expenditure on church goods decrease?

Answer 18

• After 1540

Question 19

What did people think of the Protestant reforms and Protestantism?

Answer 19

• For many, there was acceptance rather than enthusiasm
• Many landowners favoured Protestantism, may be due to gaining of monastic land
• By 1547, 20% of Londoners were Protestant
• More enthusiasm for Protestant reforms in and near London as more direct influences from Protestant areas of northern Europe through trade and travel
• Many, especially the uneducated, didn’t like disappearance of familiar ceremonies and didn’t approve of the limitation of the number of Holy Days in the year to 25

Question 20

What was the limit of Holy Days in a year?

Answer 20

• 25