WOLSEY’S INFLUENCE/REFORMS ON H VIII CHURCH

THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHURCH 1515-1529

In the eyes of some laymen the church was deemed unpopular and was to be disobeyed. They didn’t believe the church acted in a way which reflected the religion

CONDITIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN 1520s - POSITIVE

• most fully accepted the beliefs and showed keen sense of devotion - there was an instinctive loyalty that had been passed down through generations whilst also being reinforced by the nobility and JPs.

• The invention of the printing press (Tyndale) allowed access to new ideas amongst those who could read

CONDITIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN 1520s - NEGATIVE

• ANTI-CLERICALISM

  • Wolsey himself guilty of abuses of the church e.g. absenteeism, pluralism, even had 2 kids

• LOLLARDS - led by John Wycliffe

  • criticised ideas of the Catholic Church - said scripture and the words in the bible were much more important the position of the pope which had no biblical justification.

• MARTIN LUTHER - the origins of the Protestant movement

  • 1517 - posted his 95 theses (95 church criticisms) onto door of church in Germany. This prompted the spread of Protestant ideas which were to spread quickly across Europe and threaten Catholicism.

WOLSEY’S CHURCH REFORMS 1515-29 - INSTRUCTING BISHOPS EVAL

What he attempts:

• attempted to make some changes during his time as cardinal & papal legate (1518 onwards)

• Instructed English bishops carry out duties more professionally in an attempt to address the abuses and anti-clerical attitude amongst some English people

Positives:

• planned to fund a new school to train cardinals in England

Negatives:

• removed from power before this happened

WOLSEY’S CHURCH REFORMS 1515-29 - INEFFICIENT MONASTERIES EVAL

What he attempts:

• attempts to address problems with inefficient monasteries - numbers had been significantly decreasing over time.

• 1528 - Ordered inspections - around 20 closed down on basis that they had less than 6 monks living in them

Positives:

• Papal permission given on basis Wolsey would use saved money on education of English priests and monks

Negatives:

WOLSEY’S CHURCH REFORMS 1515-29 - OTTOMAN TURKS EVAL

What he attempts:

• encouraged Henry to take on more forceful role with them - catholic enemy threatening Europe from the east.

Positives:

• 1517 - H helped pope by participating in holy league wars against ottomans.

• Wolsey encouraged H to write book ‘Assertio Septem Sacramentorum’

  • pope rewarded him by giving him the title ‘Defender of the Faith’ increasing the prestige of the Tudors across Europe.