The social impact of religious upheaval

What was the overall opinion of the church early in Henry VIIIs reign?

At the start of Henry VII's reign, little indication of major changes to the English Church despite occasional complaints overall the Church met the needs of most people

What improvements were seen in the 16th century?

Early 16th century saw some improvements in clergy quality

What did Wolsey used the dissoved monastaries endowments for int he early 16th century?

Cardinal Wolsey dissolved some monasteries and used their endowments for education

What started the major changes in the 16th century?

Major change occurred in the 1530s when Henry VIII broke from Rome and became head of the Church of England

What was the reaction to these religious changes?

Small minority welcomed these religious changes yet widespread popular support was lacking

Who were many executed during this time and who by?

Executions of those denying royal supremacy, most famously Sir Thomas More.

What was central to the reformation and why?

Monasteries were central to pre-Reformation religious life; their dissolution was significant

What two major religious changes did Cromwell play a part in?

Cromwell’s dissolution of monasteries (begun 1536) and royal injunctions attacked traditional Catholic practices (holy days, pilgrimages, relic veneration).

What was the major rebellion in retaliation to religious reforms and when did it take place?

The Pilgrimage of Grace - 1536

Why did the rebellions take place?

• Since the reforms caused fears of further attack on parish churches

• Major rebellion in 1536 (Pilgrimage of Grace) in Lincolnshire and northern England, as a response to these reforms

What type of consequences did the religious upheval have?

• The religious upheaval had long-lasting social consequences

• Dissolution was viewed as a potential disaster; some communities actively resisted, such as at Hexham, where armed men prevented royal commissioners from beginning dissolution

Land

How did the reformation effect land ownership?

Large amounts of land were confiscated from the Church and taken by the Crown, which should have increased the king's power

Whatw as a large reasn for Henry VIII selling the land?

The costly foreign wars of Henry VIII led to the sale of monastic lands, often cheaply, increasing the landholding gentry's wealth and size

How much of the monastic land was sold?

By 1547, about two-thirds of the monastic land acquired by the Crown had been sold or granted away

Education & Employment

How did the religious refomation effect education?

Many monasteries were known for their educational roles; their dissolution led to the loss of many monastic schools

How did the religous reformation effect monks and nuns>

Monks and nuns lost their employment suddenly; some monks became secular priests, others received pensions, while nuns faced uncertain futures

What importance did the monasteries have in society befor the reformation?

Some monasteries significantly contributed to local communities by providing education, employment, and business opportunities

How did monastic churches function before?

Major monastic churches, like Durham, served as diocesan cathedrals; many others functioned as local parish churches