The English Reformation – Henry VIII & Edward VI

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, acts of Parliament, and doctrinal changes during the English Reformation under Henry VIII and Edward VI.

Apostolic See

Relating to the Apostles, particularly St. Peter; refers to the official seat or authority of a bishop (specifically the Pope).

Apostles

People who were chosen and sent by Jesus Christ to spread His teachings.

Act

A law formally passed by Parliament and approved by the monarch, establishing a legal rule or change in the country (e.g., the Act of Supremacy 1534).

Decree

An official order or decision issued by a person or authority with the power to make it, carrying legal force.

Ecclesiastical

Relating to the Church, its clergy, or its religious affairs.

Liturgy

Rules framing religious literature and worship practices within a religion.

Eucharist

The ceremony where bread becomes the body of Christ and wine becomes His blood (or is taken symbolically).

Be it enacted by authority of this present Parliament

Standard legal formula giving an act the force of law.

Annulment

Declaring a marriage invalid from the beginning, distinct from divorce; sought by Henry VIII regarding Catherine of Aragon because she did not produce a male heir.

Anne Boleyn

Wife of Henry VIII who gave birth to Elizabeth I and was later executed on charges of adultery.

Jane Seymour

Wife of Henry VIII who gave birth to Edward VI and died of natural causes.

Cardinal Wolsey

Advisor to Henry VIII who tried and failed to negotiate the King's annulment with the Pope, leading to his fall from power.

Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556)

Important religious leader who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533, supported Henry's break with Rome, and later spearheaded Protestant liturgical reforms under Edward VI.

Thomas Cromwell

King Henry VIII's close advisor after Wolsey; executed in 1540.

Act of Annates (1532)

Act that stopped money and taxes from flowing from England to the Pope in Rome, marking the first major economic step in breaking with Rome.

Act of Appeals (1533)

Act that forbade legal and religious appeals to the Pope, making England independent from Rome in religious matters.

Act of Supremacy (1534)

Act that formally declared Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Treason Act (1536)

Act establishing that anyone refusing to accept Henry VIII as Head of the Church could be accused of high treason (e.g., Thomas More).

First Suppression Act (1536)

Act that initiated the dissolution of smaller monasteries in England.

Second Suppression Act (1539)

Act that extended the dissolution of monasteries to larger monasteries in England.

Pilgrimage of Grace (1536–1537)

A major rebellion against religious changes, dealt with harshly by Henry VIII with many executions.

Catholicism without the Pope

Phrase describing Henry VIII's religious policy, where he broke politically with Rome and rejected the Pope's authority but retained Catholic doctrine, dogma, and belief in salvation through good works.

First Book of Common Prayer (1549)

A prayer book authored by Thomas Cranmer establishing a uniform English liturgy.

Act of Uniformity (1549)

Act that required all English churches to use the Book of Common Prayer.

Second Book of Common Prayer (1552)

Revised prayer book that removed remaining Catholic elements, reflecting a clearer Protestant doctrine under Edward VI.