THE REFORMATION Flashcards
WHY DID HENRY WANT TO BREAK FORM THE CHURCH?
- TO DIVORCE CATHERINE OF ARAGON - The monasteries were torn down as a symbol of Henry’s rage of not being able to get an annulment. His ancestor Henry II tried to break from the church but couldn’t, and this originated due to Campeggio’s delay tactics
- TO GET MONEY FROM THE CHURCHES - Once he tore down the churches, he sold the golden and silver ornaments they contained, and pocketed the income, which. made him one of the wealthiest men in Europe. He would also get the donations that would previously go to Rome. From the Reformation, it is said that the King’s own treasury increased by £1,500,000 - valuation from Valor Ecclesiasticus
- He could also sell the land of the churches, as they were being torn down, and could sell more land to nobles, bringing in more money to finance battles, so 600-800 MONASTERIES WERE TORN DOWN
- TO LOOK LIKE THE POWERFUL TYRANT HE ASPIRES TO BE - From this, he can establish himself as a new, and powerful leader, contrasted to the inferior image he had to Charles V when he was deserted. He also wouldn’t be under the control of the Church, and would be independent, so he could get as many annulments as he wants
- DUE TO CHURCH CORRUPTION - There was a rise of Anti-Clericalism that took place in the monasteries, as the monks violated their vow of celibacy as they were involved with women and gambling. They also sold “speedy tickets” or small relics as a way to get through purgatory faster, and they went corrupt. This was reported during the visitations of the 6 representatives during March-April 1535
EXTRA INFO
- Anne Boleyn gave Tyndale’s book to Henry, and this planted a seed in his brain, as it outlined all the faults of the English Church
- People were diverted to join Protestantism, as the barriers to God and the people were torn down e.g The Bible was now printed in English, and churches were laid out differently.
- HOWEVER, this was detrimental to Henry’s power as it made the people feel more powerful - Despite being named “Defender of the Faith” by Pope Leo X in 1521 (for writing a book about how wrong Martin Luther was), he resorted to more Protestant views
ACT OF SUCCESSION (March 1534)
- Enforced reformation
MORE PRACTICAL
- The 25 year marriage to Catherine of Aragon was declared invalid, and only Anne Boleyn was his lawful, wedded wife (undoubted, true, sincere and perfect)
- ONLY the children in Anne Boleyn’s marriage could inherit the throne (Mary was ILLEGITIMATE)
IMPORTANCE
* Rejected ALL authority of Rome, so the Break was solidified
* The Pope’s name was shunned out of every religious book in England after he insisted that she was a legal wife
* CHANGED SUCCESSION ORDER
ACT OF SUPREMACY (3 November 1534)
- Enforced reformation, but
more symbolic
- Henry had the right to decide how the Church was organised, and it’s beliefs
- Henry could appoint ALL KEY POSITIONS in the Church
IMPORTANCE
* This made sure that Rome had little to no power, and that the Papal States had no control
- Cromwell was made the Viceregent
HOW WAS HENRY PROTECTED FROM OPPOSITION?
OATH OF SUCCESSION (part of Act of Succession)
* It was made mandatory so that anybody who didn’t do it were traitors
TREASON ACT 1534
* If any of the King’s titles were rejected or resented, it can be seen as an act of Treason
* This sparked fear in the disbelievers
OPPONENT 1 OF THE ENGLISH REFORMATION - Thomas More
(most important)
- Was a fine scholar, and was Lord Chancellor in 1529-32 after Wolsey. Also a devout Catholic
- He thought Martin Luther was a criminal, and that Protestantism posed a threat to Catholic souls (BURNED 6 PEOPLE AT STAKE FOR HERETIC VIEWS)
- He resigned from his post in the government due to “ill health” as Henry’s divorce and Beak from Rome views went against his own
WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM
* Executed on July 6, 1535 in Tower Hill for treason
WHY HE WAS IMPORTANT
* Was a Lord Chancellor, and one of England’s leading scholars, and had the power to make the Pope threaten to ex-communicate Henry
* Was a Catholic Martyr, so he could pose a symbol of terror after his death
OPPONENT 2 OF THE ENGLISH REFORMATION - John Fisher
- Bishop of Rochester in 1504, and tutored Henry as a child (supported his early reign)
- Opposed Henry from 1527, as he thought Pope was seen as God, and that his divorce plans were a mortal sin
- Was pressured by other (privately opposed) bishops to stop going public, even after threat from King’s Guards
WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM
* Executed on June 22, 1535 in Tower Hill for treason
WHY HE WAS IMPORTANT
* He had ties to Henry in childhood, so had a personal threat to offer. Also had good ties to Charles V and asked him to invade, and made a cardinal before death
OPPONENT 3 OF THE ENGLISH REFORMATION - Elizabeth Barton
(least important) (example of the Act of Succession’s power)
- Ill 16 year old girl who claimed the Virgin Mary cured her in a vision of hers in 1525
- Started attacking Henry’s marriage to Anne in 1527, saying that it was wrong, and that “God wanted pilgrimages and masses”, and that Bibles need to be burned
- HOWEVER, most likely exploited by clergymen e.g Dr Bartons
WHAT HAPPENED TO HER
* Executed on 20 April 1534 in Tyburn
WHY SHE WASN’T IMPORTANT
* She was only famous and had little influence, as only 700 copies of her book sold in total. Also only supported by few clergymen.
HOW THE ENGLISH CHURCH CHANGED DURING 1532-1540
- 1532 - SUBMISSIONS OF CLERGY - Henry approved Church laws, and appointed bishops and tax was stopped being given to Rome
- 1533 - RESTRAINT OF APPEALS - Stopped clergymen being able to appeal against King’s decisions to the Pope
- 1534 - ACT OF SUPREMACY - King is now head of Church
- 1536 - ACT OF 10 ARTICLES - 7 catholic Sacraments reduced to 3 (Baptism, Eucharist and Penance)
- 1538 - CHANGED CHURCHES - English translated Bible now in Church and objects removed
- 1539 - DISSOLUTION OF GREATER MONASTERIES - Changed religious and physical landscape (torn down)
HOW THE ENGLISH CHURCH STAYED THE SAME DURING 1532-1540
- 1532-1536 - Sacraments unchanged
- 1536 - ROYAL INJUNCTIONS 1 - Only discouraged pilgrimages, and only Saints’ Days reduced
- 1538 - Priest John Frith put in flamed for denying transubstantiation
- 1539 - Act of 10 Articles SCRAPPED for Act of 6 Articles, so this confirmed purgatory and transubstantiation, and role of priests (Cranmer sent his wife and kids away for celibacy)
