Religion (Reform of the Church)

Question 1

Between what period of time was Henry VIII assisted by Cromwell and Cranmer in the ‘Break with Rome’ ?

Answer 1

1532 - 40

Question 2

Give 4 different aspects of the Break with Rome

Answer 2

1) withdrawing the English Church from the jurisdiction of the papacy

2) established the King as Supreme head of the Church

3) dissolved the monasteries

4) The altering of the Church’s doctrine and practices

Question 3

Give 3 different types of weaknesses of the church in the earlier years of Henry’s reign, before the Break with Rome in 1536.

Answer 3

1) Corruption

2) Anticlericalism

3) Decline of monasticism

Question 4

Give 3 different kinds of offenses involving corruption that were apparent with the Church in the early years of HVIII’s reign.

Answer 4

1) Pluralism

2) Simony

3) non-residence

Question 5

What was pluralism in regards to weaknesses of the church in the early years of HVIII’s reign ?

Answer 5

Receiving profits of more than one post

Question 6

What was simony in regards to weaknesses of the church in the early years of HVIII’s reign ?

Answer 6

The selling of church office

Question 7

What was non-residence in regards to weaknesses of the church in the early years of HVIII’s reign ?

Answer 7

Receiving the profits of a church post but not being present to perform the duties associated with it

Question 8

What is the best example of a corrupt clergyman showing the weaknesses of the church in the early years of HVIII’s reign ?

Answer 8

Cardinal Wolsey

Question 9

What is meant by ‘anticlericalism’ ?

Answer 9

opposition to the political and social importance of the clergy

Question 10

Give 2 ways that anticlericalism could be seen in the early years of HVIII’s reign thereby showing weaknesses of the church’s popularity

Answer 10

1) some common lawyers objected to the influence of canon law

2) There were some objections to the legal privileges of the church

Question 11

What is the best example in the early years of HVIII’s reign that showed an anticlerical attitude in some parts of society but also revealed how corrupt and dangerous he church were ?

Answer 11

the murder of Richard Hunne

Question 12

When was the murder of Richard Hunne ?

Answer 12

1514

Question 13

What happened with the murder of Richard Hunne in 1514 that ultimately revealed both anticlericalism as well as the corrupt nature of the church ?

Answer 13

1) Richard Hunne refused to pay a church fee and argued with the church in court

2) The church arrested him for heresy (against church authority)

3) Was later found dead in prison but it was evident to the coroner’s jury that he could not have killed himself (torture therefore likely)

Question 14

Why was anticlericalism growing in England in the early years of HVIII’s reign before the years of the Break with Rome ?

Answer 14

Because of the corruption that existed within the church

Question 15

What was arguably the most visible change to the church during 1532 - 40 ?

Answer 15

The dissolution of the monasteries

Question 16

Give one reason as to why precedents for dissolving monasteries already existed before 1536 showing a decline of monasticism before 1532-1540

Answer 16

Wolsey secured the dissolution of around twenty houses in the 1520s to fund the establishment of Cardinal college, Oxford

Question 17

Give a caveat to the argument that monasticism had lost its sense of direction in the earlier years of Henry’s reign.

Answer 17

some orders, such as the Observant Franciscans and Bridgettines were clearly flourishing right up to the final days of the dissolution

Question 18

Around how many monasteries were there in England and Wales at the time of their closure ?

Answer 18

800

Question 19

What was the Valor Ecclesiasticus ?

Answer 19

A survey set up by Cromwell in 1535 to discover exactly how wealthy the church was

Question 20

When was the compilation of Valor Ecclesiasticus ?

Answer 20

1535

Question 21

Why was the compilation of Valor Ecclesiasticus significant in terms of the Reform of the Church ?

Answer 21

This is because it was ultimately the starting point for the process of the dissolution of the monasteries

Question 22

How did the Crown go about amassing the evidence which could be used to justify dissolving the monasteries ?

Answer 22

4 ‘visitors’ were sent round the country to inspect all monastic institutions to find evidence of weakness and corruption in the church.

Question 23

Why did Cromwell compile the Valor Ecclesiasticus in 1535 to see how wealthy the church was ?

Answer 23

To give him a fairly accurate depiction of the resources which were available for the Crown to seize

Question 24

How did the 4 visitors that were sent round the country to inspect all monastic institutions successful in aiding the Reform of the Church ?

Answer 24

The visitors provided Cromwell with enough evidence to justify bringing in an Act of Parliament in 1536 to dissolve the lesser monasteries

Question 25

Why did the Scope of dissolution of monasteries widen after the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 ?

Answer 25

This is because, the heads of religious houses that were involved in the rebellion voluntarily surrendered to the Crown.

Question 26

When was the Act introduced to dissolve the remaining monasteries after the 1536 Act to dissolve the lesser monasteries ?

Answer 26

1539

Question 27

By March _____, all religious houses had been dissolved.

Answer 27

1540

Question 28

What period of time saw 6 new dioceses created in an attempt to improve the Church's administration ?

Answer 28

1534 - 40

Question 29

When did the 'visitations' to the monasteries start ?

Answer 29

1535

Question 30

When did the King appoint Cromwell vicegerent in spiritual matters ?

Answer 30

1534