The Social Impact Of Religious And Economic Change Under Edward VI Flashcards
Who influences Somerset’s religious beliefs?
Religious radicals in his household such as John Hooper and Thomas Becon
Why is the 1549 Book of Common Prayer considered to be a ‘moderate’ change?
It was written by Archbishop Cramner, who was anxious to increase religious tension.
Where was Protestantism popular (within England) during this time?
It was suggested by Susan Brigden that 20% of Londoners were Protestant by 1547.
What does Diamaid MacCullock suggest about the nature, pace and extent of religious change under Edward VI?
This extract suggests that religious change was quite radical. Catholicism was replaced with the evangelical establishment and England moved towards the religious revolution in the rest of Europe.
What reforms did Somerset introduce, and how significant were they?
Feb 1547-Denunciation of images in London, supported within governments do by Protestant activists.
Jul 1547-Injunctions issued, attacked many features of popular Catholicism.
Dec 1547-Dissolution of chantries and religious guilds, property seized by the crown represented further attack on popular Catholicism
May 1549-Book of common prayer, imposed a moderate approach to religious reform.
In what ways did Catholics feel like they were under attack?
Traditional Catholic practices were effected and the crown destroyed one means of connecting the dead to the communities. The crown confiscated money and property which had been used for charitable events.
Why was Northumberland more radical than Somerset? (summarise the 4 reasons outlined)
Archbishop Cramner published a more radical Book of Common Prayer in 1552.
Radical senior clergy (eg. John Hooper) were becoming more influential.
Continental reformers moved to England and became influential on decision making on religious matters.
Edward VI took his role as head of Church more importantly and believed it his duty to destroy idolatry.
What changes did Northumberland introduce, and how significant were they?
Removal of remaining conservative ceremonies, which meant that conservatives could not accept anything in the prayer book.
Rewriting of baptism, confirmation and burial services, which showed Cranmers desire to see simplicity in church services.
Radical reform of communion service, including replacement of wafer by ordinary bread, which showed influence of Zwinglianism in the Eucharist declaration, ‘Do this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for thee’.
Ban on use of ‘popish’ vestments which meant that simpler clerical vestments were seen as more in keeping with the simpler approach to services.
Restriction on use of church music, which meant that a simpler approach to music reflected the emphasis on greater simplicity in church services.
Supported those with radical views in the privy council.
Plunder in the wealth of the church and a continuation of the changes from Somerset.
More radical senior clergy became more influential (eg. John Hooper).
What was Zwinglian?
Refers to the religious ideas of Ulrich Zwingli, a Protestant reformer from Zurich. His radical ideas had continental influence on the English Church during Edward VI’s reign, suggesting that transubstantiation did not take place in the right of the Eucharist.
Who was John Hooper?
Edward VI’s most radical bishop, who had travelled across Protestant Europe and returned to England in 1549 when appointed Somerset’s chaplain. Northumberland appointed him bishop of Gloucester, and showed much inflexible radicalism in this post. He was burned as a heretic in Queen Mary’s reign.
What were Cranmer’s Forty-Two Articles of Religion?
Issued in June 1553, they defined the essentials of the faith of the Church of England. They reflected the ideas of Cranmer, Zwingli and Bullinger and confirmed the reformed path of the church during Edward VI’s reign. The Kings death meant that they were never implemented, but 39 of the 42 were used in Elizabeth’s religious settlement. Even though the doctrines were Protestant, the hierarchy and government of the church remained the same.
How did the Crown extract money from the Church?
The crown pursued a systematic policy of asset stripping, extracting wealth from the church through the plundering of the property of bishoprics. Eg. the dioceses of Gloucester and Worcester were combined, with two thirds of Worcester’s going to the crown; the bishops of Exeter and Worcester made substantial grants to the crown from their property. There was a plan to divide the bishopric of Durham and to appropriate much of its wealth to the crown, but it was never implemented.
What evidence suggests that old Catholic practices were being eroded?
Expenditure on church goods declined after 1540, suggesting a reaction to the destructive attitudes of the crown. In addition, much less money (about 38% less) was left to the parish churches.
Other than a growing acceptance of Protestantism, what else could the evidence from wills suggest about people’s response to religious reform?
It suggests that churches attracted less money from their people as services became plainer, plays and ales were suppressed and guilds and special funds were abolished.
Why was the religious crisis at parish level made even worse?
Because of the fear of a Crown attack on church plate. Many tried to avoid this by selling their treasures. In January 1553, the crown started to confiscate church plate.
