Henry VIII - Pre-Reformation Church Flashcards
The Severity of Anticlericalism
- There were no notable scandals associated with bishops besides Wolsey’s pluralism and illegitimate children
- The regular clergy, such as nuns and monks, were very conservative and their existences depended on tradition
- 1536 – the Pilgrimage of Grace - a vast demonstration of the church’s popularity as they were threatened with destruction by Henry
The Severity of Antipapalism
- In Germany, the Reformation was stimulated by a widespread feeling of antipapalism and German nationalism. In England, the Pope was a remote and powerless figure and there was no similar sense of nationalism that fuelled the Reformation
- The German states were separate, weak and vulnerable, whereas England had had a strong government since the Wars of the Roses
- 1518 – Wolsey’s candidate for the see of St Asaph in Wales – William Bolton – was ousted by Hnery’s choice of Henry Standish instead. This proved that Wolsey didn’t take away the king’s right to nominate individuals for office
- 1524 - Wolsey being made papal legate for life made him superior to the Archbishop of Canterbury – therefore opposition against Wolsey meant opposition against the Pope
The Severity of Erastianism
- Politically, the Pope accepted that the king controlled most aspects of the English Church and its government, including the matter of appointing people to ecclesiastical positions
- The Church still had its own law courts, run according to canon law, where holy men who committed offenses were given lighter sentences – these special rights were slowly being eroded under both Henry VII and Henry VIII
The Severity of Heresy
- Lutheranism was a German heresy and many English heretics already believed that they knew the truth – Lutheranism therefore held no appeal for them
- The Lollards and the White Horse Group were very small and received no external or foreign support
- None of the nobility ever became Lutheran. Sir Thomas More denounced Lutheranism in a book written in 1526
The White Horse Group - Heresy
Cambridge scholars and churchmen that took an interest in Lutheran ideas. Whilst this showed that Lutheran ideas and texts had reached England, the group received minimal support and was never able to spread their beliefs to the extent of becoming an issue for the Church
The Lollards - Heresy
Small underground network influenced by John Wycliffe, who died in 1384. Believed that the Bible should be available to laymen as well as churchmen, as well as rejecting the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation
Positive Support for the Church
- Many people felt safe and secure in the belief that so long as they abided by the seven sacraments, the church would protect them from evil
- A lot of money was given to the church in both laymen and nobles’ wills – whilst this may have been habit rather than heartfelt belief, it still proved that the church was not widely seen as corrupt and unpopular
- Corruption, even at large, had existed for years in the church and therefore proved that the church was in no imminent danger of collapsing
Support for the Church - Cardinal Morton 1499
Under the order of the new Bishop of London, John Stokesley, Morton investigated 489 parishes. Only 8 allegations of sexual laxity were found in his investigations
Support for the Church - Bishop Warham 1511-12
Investigated 260 Kentish parishes and only 4 priests were found to be ignorant
Tithes
The principal tax paid by layman to the church. Whilst there were sometimes disputes over this tax, they were incredibly uncommon
Example of Absenteeism
- Wolsey didn’t visit York Minister until his fall from power, fourteen years after his appointment as Archbishop
- Not all clergymen were absentees entirely – Bishop Fox and Archbishop Warham, for example, retired from court so as to pursue more episcopal matters (those relating to the Bishop)
Example of Pluralism
Thomas Magnus was:
- Archdeacon of the East Riding of Yorkshire
- Master of the College of St Sepulchre
- Vicar of Kendal
- Rector of Kirkby, Bedale and Sessay
The Severity of Simony
It was believed that many clergy had bought their way into higher offices, though the practice was in reality not very widespread
The Severity of Secularisation
Some claimed that the monasteries played too great a role in secular affairs as many could not withdraw from the world. Most houses were major landowners, employing tenants and servants to cultivate their land
Jean Colet (Anticlericalism)
1511 - A Dean at St Paul’s, who argued that many churchmen had become greedy and covetous
