Mid-Tudor Crises: Religious Change Flashcards
What was the religious climate when Edward came to power?
- ruling elites were largely Protestant + wanted reform
- common priests were resistant to change as they were uneducated
- common people were conservative as their popular traditions were based on Catholic practices
- London, South East and East Anglia were more Protestant
- rest of the country (North) were largely Catholic
What did the Privy Council under Somerset do ?
Religion under Edward
- decided to review the State of the Church of England and introduce Protestant reforms
Why were Somerset’s religious plans opposed?
- opposed by the conservatives led by Gardiner who said it was against H8’s will which stated that no religious change should be made until Edward was 18
What were the royal commissioners sent to do in 1547?
Religion under Edward
- were sent to visit all bishops culminating in a report that was completed in Autumn 1547
What was done to help the spread of Protestantism?
Religion under Edward
- every parish was ordered to obtain a copy of Cranmer’s Book of Homillies and Erasmus’ Paraphrases
What was the Book of Homilies ?
Religion under Edward
- Book written by Cranmer
- contained Protestant Sermons for use in daily worship
What was Erasmus’ Paraphrases?
Religion under Edward
- A summary of the New Testament
- contained Protestant meanings and explanations of daily worship
What injunction was issued in July 1547?
Religion under Edward
- ordered all clergy to conduct their services in English, preach a sermon every Sunday, and create a library of Protestant literature including an English Bible.
- also asked to encourage the laity to read these books and finally they were told to remove all superstitious statues + images from their churches.
What was the reaction to the injunction of July 1547?
Religion under Edward
- both conservatives + Protestants were unhappy with these changes .
- Catholics wanted them reversed
- Protestants wanted change to be quicker
On top of this Henrican treason, Heresy + censorship laws were not enforced leading to widespread debate on religion.
What did radical Protestants do?
Religion under Edward
- launched a campaign of propaganda pamphlets attacking the bishops and the wealth of the church. However these protesters could not agree on what changes they wanted.
- led the Iconoclastic riots
What were the Iconoclastic riots?
Religion under Edward
- radical Protestants in London, East Anglia and Lincolnshire led the riots.
- they destroyed stained glass windows, statues and images.
- gold, silver candlesticks and Church goods were sold and the money was given to the poor.
- some were organised by Protestant refugees from Europe who were settling in England
Who opposed the Iconoclastic riots ?
Religion under Edward
- conservative Bishops
E.g - Bishop Bonner’s Protests led him to be imprisoned for two months
What were the Chantries Act ?
Religion under Edward
- passed by Parliament in November 1547
- Chantries were to be shut down due to their superstition.
- but in reality were shut down to raise money for war with France and Scotland rather than for the proclaimed religious motive
What are Chantries?
Religion under Edward
- religious houses that prayed for the souls of the dead
What was the Treason Act?
Religion under Edward
- repealed Henrican heresy + censorship laws giving people freedom to discuss religious matters
