Reasons for the Reformation

Question 1

Low Quality Preaching

Answer 1

• Only some priests were able to preach and many clergy lacked knowledge of the scriptures.
• As priests were not well educated, little quality preaching could be seen.

Question 2

Lack of Dedication to Religious Vows

Answer 2

Clergy were meant to stay celibate, but many had a wife/mistress/children. Nunneries were also noted for moral and spiritual decay.
- Rather than places of piety, this highlighted a lack of dedication to the religious vows they had taken.

Question 3

Venacular

Answer 3

• Protestant ideas had been coming into Scotland for some time, especially in port cities. Protestant hymns were also allowed in the venacular.
• This had allowed protestant ideas to spread to Europe.

Question 4

Favoured by nobility.

Answer 4

• Increasing numbers of nobility opted for the new faith.
• Often, people are influenced by those in positions of power.

Question 5

Beggars Summons

Answer 5

• The ‘Beggars Summons’ demanded the flitting of the friaries.
• Action was taken against the corruption in the friaries.

Question 6

George Wishart

Answer 6

• George Wishart was another protestant preacher that toured around Scotland. He was killed in March of 1547, and in result an English protestant murdered Cardinal Beaton in revenge.
• This led to the reformation because he spread the word of protestantism in Scotland after experiencing the reformation in England which inspired others to revert to protestantism. The murder of Cardinal Beaton also showed that the catholic faith was becoming very vulnerable and weak- which convinced people to join up with the protestants.

Question 7

John Knox

Answer 7

• In 1559, John Knox, a prominent protestant preacher, landed in Leith and travelled to Perth to preach. His sermon lead to riots breaking out in the town and many Catholic buildings being destroyed.
• This was a reason for the reformation in Scotland because many Scots were angered at the corruption within the Catholic Church and were inspired by Knox to become protestant.

Question 8

Pluralism

Answer 8

• Pluralism is the practice of clergymen taking on multiple jobs and earning multiple incomes as a result within the Catholic Church, for example, Cardinal Beaton was a famous pluralist.
• This had led to many people being upset at the unfair distributions of jobs and money within the Catholic Church, and the lack of religious duties being carried out properly, which encouraged people to change faith.

Question 9

Lack of leadership.

Answer 9

• Three bishops within the Catholic Church had joined the protestants and the Archbishop of Glasgow had fled to France.
• This meant that the old faith put up little resistance against the reformers.

Question 10

Perth and Dundee

Answer 10

• In 1559, Perth and Dundee were the first to claim themselves as protestant towns.
• This paved the way for other towns to follow.

Question 11

Support from Queen Elizabeth.

Answer 11

• Confidence has grown amongst the Scottish protestants after Elizabeth became Queen of England in 1558.
• Many turned to England for help and support.

Question 12

Crown and Nobility.

Answer 12

• Crown and Nobility were taking in Church income.
• This led to the reformation because less money was available for the good work of the church, prompting many to despise the practices of the Catholic Church and turn to protestantism.

Question 13

Nepotism.

Answer 13

• Illegitimate sons often inherited positions from their fathers.
• Nepotism resulted in jobs being given to those irrespective of their ability.