Religion, ideas and reform

Question 1

Reform of the Church

Answer 1

• Between 1532 and 1540
• Henry assisted by Archbishop Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell withdrew English church from the papacy
• King Head of the church, dissolved monastries and began to alter doctrine and practices

Question 2

Weaknesses of the Church

Answer 2

• Corruption
• Anti clericalism
• Decline of Monasticism

Question 3

Corruption

Answer 3

• Range of charges associated with Church
• Pluralism, simony and non-residence
• Corruption was shown by Cardinal Wolsey but many others were guilty

Question 4

Anti Clericalism

Answer 4

• Some lawyers objected to the influence of canon law and objections to the legal privileges of the clergy
• Worst example of clerical misconduct was the death of Richard Hunne

Question 5

Murder of Richard Hunne 1514

Answer 5

• Apparently hanged himself but stated he couldn’t have killed himself and he had been murdered
• Case for disastrous for the reputation of the Church but investigated whilst break with Rome was happening

Question 6

Decline of Monasticism

Answer 6

• Operation of religious houses open to criticism
• Wolsey secured dissolution of around 20 houses in 1520s

Question 7

Dissolution of the Monasteries

Answer 7

• Can be traced to Valor Ecclesiasticus, a survey set up by Cromwell
• Found much to criticise to find evidence of weakness and corruption
• Dissolve smaller monasteries of those 200 per annum or less
• Scope of dissolution widened after the Pilgrimage of Grace
• By March 1540 all remaining religious houses have been dissolved