Religious and Political Changes in Tudor England

1547 Acts on Religious Images

A series of acts passed in 1547 denouncing images in London, reflecting radical attitudes supported by the government and Protestant activists.

Injunctions of 1538 reissued in 1547

Reissued injunctions attacking popular Catholicism, reasserting Edward as the Supreme Head of the Church, forbidding burning of lights, encouraging destruction of images, abolishing processions, discouraging bell-ringing, and discouraging money left to good works and chantries.

Dissolution of the Chantries in 1547

Partly to gain money for foreign policy and partly because purgatory was no longer in official doctrine, eliminating the need to pray for the dead. However, they were also places of social gatherings, popular events, charities, feasts, and celebrations.

1549 New Book of Common Prayer

Written in English, excluded elevation of the host, introduced communion of both kinds, and reduced the sacrificial element of Catholicism.

Act of Uniformity in 1549

Made the Book of Common Prayer the only legal form of worship, outlawing all other texts and the use of Latin in churches.

Major Rebellions in 1549

Major rebellions in the South West and East Anglia due to various reasons, including resentment of tax, social conflict, enclosures, and religious grievances.

Western Rebellion (Prayer Book Rebellion)

Motivated by religious grievances, the rebels wanted to reverse the religious reforms of the previous 15 years and bring back traditional Catholicism.

Kett's Rebellion

Main motivations included social conflict, class differences, hatred of local government officials, resentment of landowners, and pent-up frustration regarding weak rule.

Somerset's Response to Rebellions

Lord Russell was sent to deal with the Western rebellion but was slow to act. Foreign mercenaries were eventually used to defeat the rebels. Kett's rebellion was suppressed using foreign mercenaries, resulting in 3000 rebels killed.

Somerset's Political Standing

His inability to efficiently deal with the rebellions crushed his political credibility, highlighted his failures, and led to doubts about his ability to govern.

Coup Against Somerset

Earl of Warwick (Duke of Northumberland), Southampton, Arundel, and other conservatives conspired against him because of his arrogance and dictatorial behavior.

Warwick's Governance Approach

Warwick wanted to avoid the concentration of power that ruined Somerset, so no protectorate was re-established.

Northumberland's Government Operation

A successful government operated through the privy council, promoting Protestants and ejecting conservatives.

Northumberland's Ejection of Conservatives

He feared being ejected from power, leading him to remove potential threats from the council.

Somerset's Fate After Council Readmission

He was outwitted and executed by Northumberland after plotting to regain his old position.

William Cecil

He became Northumberland's key advisor.

Northumberland's Financial Stability

Details on how he achieved financial stability were not provided in the notes.

Northumberland's measures to reduce social unrest

Reintroduced Henry's Treason Act in 1550, restricted freedom of expression, and made it unlawful for 12 people to meet.

Northumberland's religious convictions

He was a confirmed Protestant from 1550, appointing Protestants to the council.

Two parts of Northumberland's religious strategy

Continuing Protestant reforms and extracting wealth from the church.

Changes in religion under Northumberland's rule

Widespread removal of alters and replacement with communion tables, removal of conservative bishops, and the influence of radical reformers.

Significance of the 42 articles

Confirmed the Protestant nature of official doctrine, largely Cramner's work summarizing current Protestant doctrine.

Changes to religious services under Edward VI

Prayer traces of Catholicism removed, revised baptism, confirmation, and burial services, banned Popish vestments, restricted church music, and the 1552 Act of Uniformity.

State of Protestantism at the start of Edward VI's reign

Protestants were a tiny minority, with around 20% of Londoners being Protestant by 1547. Protestantism was non-existent outside of these areas.

Changes in foreign policy under Edward VI

Peace was made with France, Boulogne was returned for money, and troops were withdrawn from Scotland, ending costly foreign policy ventures.

The Devise

The Devise was Edward VI's plan to name Lady Jane Grey as heir to the throne, bypassing Mary and Elizabeth.

Reasons for Northumberland's failure to secure Lady Jane Grey's succession

Northumberland appeared unprepared, faced opposition to the Devise, had little personal support, and was viewed as power-hungry.

Evidence of decline in religious enthusiasm during Edward VI's reign

Parish records show gradual compliance but hidden artifacts, declining expenditure on church goods, and a decrease in people leaving money to the church in wills.

Factors contributing to Mary's successful claim to the throne

Mary raised supporters in defense of the legitimate succession and Catholicism. The troops sent by Northumberland were received badly. Council members proclaimed Mary Queen.

Actions defining the 'Good' Duke Somerset

Established a court of requests, refused torture, wanted to fix rents and abolish enclosures.

Failings of Duke Somerset according to modern historiography

Failed in Scotland and France, was arrogant and didn't get on well with his colleagues.

Actions defining the 'Bad' Duke Northumberland

Gained control of the Privy Council, arrested Somerset, was 'two faced' in religion, wanted to change the succession, purged those who helped him.

Positive attributes of Duke Northumberland according to modern historiography

More honest and skillful, enabled the country to survive in a period of hardship, aimed to avoid issues.

Events leading to Mary I's ascension to the throne after Lady Jane Grey's reign

Popular support for Mary appeared quickly; people proclaimed her Queen; Northumberland was deserted by the council.

Traditional and revised views on why Mary I's ascension was well-received

Desire for legitimate succession; devotion to Catholic faith.

Evidence of spontaneous restoration of Catholicism under Mary I

Evidence suggests a spontaneous restoration of Catholicism before any official laws were enacted under Mary I.

Rebuilding altars

The act of restoring religious sites and practices.

Religious division

The split in religious beliefs and practices within the kingdom.

Bishop Gardiner

A key religious figure appointed as councillor under Mary I, representing religious conservatism.

Mary's council appointments

Some historians believe a large number of councillors led to inefficiency and factionalism.

Council processes

Mary differentiated between formal conciliar advice and courtly processes.

Philip II of Spain

Considered a potential husband for Mary due to being Spanish, Catholic, and politically advantageous.

Marriage treaty provisions

The treaty gave Philip the title of King but no power, barred foreigners from English offices, and stipulated that Philip would have no claim to the throne if Mary died first.

Wyatt's Rebellion

A rebellion with motives including religious reasons, xenophobia, and economic factors related to the decline in the local cloth industry.

Mary's marriage urgency

Mary thought it essential to get married quickly to secure the succession with a Catholic heir, especially given her age of 37.

Drawbacks of marrying an Englishman

An English husband could lead to factional rivalry, and the Earl of Devon lacked courtly skills.

Initial plans for Wyatt's Rebellion

Plans for simultaneous risings in Devon, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, and Kent, but only Kent experienced a serious uprising.

Socioeconomic grievances in Wyatt's Rebellion

Grievances that attracted some gentry who had lost office.

Outcomes of Wyatt's Rebellion

Showed Protestant views couldn't be ignored; demonstrated suspicion towards Spanish marriage; Lady Jane Grey executed; Elizabeth arrested.

Impact of Wyatt's Rebellion on Elizabeth

Elizabeth was arrested and confined to the Tower; interrogators had interests in avoiding the truth to prevent upsetting Elizabeth who would one day be Queen.

Wyatt's level of success

Wyatt became close to success, raising a large following and outmanoeuvring the Duke of Norfolk; if he'd taken the city, Mary's reign may have been cut short.

Philip II's delay in England

Philip seems to have avoided travelling to England for months.

Philip's negative experience in England

Bad weather; unwelcoming English court and people; hostility between Philip's and English courtiers.

Political failure of Philip's marriage to Mary I

Mary failed to get pregnant; England was drawn into disputes between France and Spain; new Pope was pro-France and anti-Spanish.

Challenges in restoring Catholicism

Two challenges Mary I faced in restoring Catholicism in England.

Initial actions of Mary I against Protestants

Some prominent Protestant clergy were deprived of livings and imprisoned; foreign Protestants were ordered to leave.

Mary's first parliament in 1553

Repealed the ecclesiastical laws passed during Edward's reign and restored the order of service as it had been at Henry's death.

Dilemma of reversing Edwardian legislation for Mary

Relying on parliamentary legislation to reverse the royal supremacy would acknowledge the legal validity of Henry's laws, implying statute law was superior to divine law, opposing her beliefs.

Action against Protestant clergymen during Mary's reign

Clergy who had married when permitted under Edward's regime could be deprived of their livings; over a quarter in London and Norwich were affected.

Main issue delaying the resolution of the Church's status in Mary's third parliament

The issue of land from dissolved monasteries.

Compromise regarding church lands

The Statute of Repeal would include a Papal dispensation, but Parliament's request for absolution of conscience for monastic property owners was rejected.

Impact of Pole's attitude toward church property

It made landowners suspicious of him, damaging his political reputation.

Act passed in January 1555

Act of Repeal and restoration of medieval heresy laws.

Consequence of the delay in finalizing the legislative framework for restoring Catholicism

Vital time was lost, and Pole's attitude towards church property made landowners suspicious, damaging his political reputation.

Status of Mary's health when she began her religious policies

Mary had fully recovered.

Jurisdiction Mary had to acknowledge

Mary had to acknowledge the jurisdiction of statute law in matters of religion.

Successor of Pope Julius and relationship with Philip and Pole

Pope Julius was succeeded by the anti-Spanish Pope Paul. Paul was hostile towards Philip and suspicious of Pole.

Action taken by Pope Paul against Pole in 1557

Paul withdrew Pole's legative commission in 1557, meaning Pole could no longer act on the Pope's behalf. He was also formally named a suspect of heresy.

Mary's response to Pope Paul's actions against Pole

Mary still sought to operate through Pole, effectively refusing to acknowledge papal authority.

Most important part of Mary's religious policies in terms of impact

The burning of Protestant heretics.

Where the fate of the victims of the burnings was recorded

The fate of the victims was recorded in great detail in Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Number of Protestants burned during Mary's reign

Around 300 (289) Protestants were burnt.

Areas with more than three quarters of the burnings

More than three quarters of the burnings were in the South East and East Anglia, areas where Protestantism was most developed.

Action taken by the council in relation to the burnings

The council banned certain groups including 'the young' from attending the burnings.

Correlation seen with strong Catholicism in areas

Clear correlation between strong Catholicism in areas and high recruitment levels for priests.

Proposal for each Cathedral to help train new priests

It was proposed that each Cathedral should have a seminary attached, for the training of new priests.

Concerns of some MPs regarding church land

Some MPs had gained church land and didn't want it restored.

Bill allowing seizure of property

The bill to allow the seizure of property belonging to the Protestant exiles was defeated in parliament.

Parliamentary opposition to Philip

Parliament rejected a bill including Philip in protective clauses, prevented Philip's coronation, and refused to exclude Elizabeth from succession.

Financial reforms under Mary

Revenue administration was competent, plans for recoinage boosted crown finances long term, and a new book of rates benefitted Elizabeth.

Naval and military reforms under Mary I

Complete reorganisation of administration and finance, six new ships built, others repaired, and reforms in troop raising methods.

Reforms in towns under Mary

Efforts to guarantee strong local government and move towards a more uniform standard for town structures.

Government address to poor relief

Government became more active in poor relief due to issues between 1556-8, including mortality, harvest failures and laws against grain hoarders.

Traditional view of the Mid-Tudor Crisis

Traditional view: Edward and Mary's reigns were unproductive and strife-ridden, marked by religious strife, inefficiency, social distress, and foreign policy failure.

Popularity of Henry and Elizabeth

The break from Rome and prominence of Protestantism under Elizabeth increases popularity amongst Protestant historians, anti-France Henry and defeat of Spain Elizabeth appeals to historians during the British Empire, still appeals to conservative historians.

Definition of a 'crisis' in history

A threat of invasion, government losing control, multiple societal problems affecting all of society.

Mid-Tudor period as a 'crisis'

Arguments exist for both sides, citing dynastic, religious, and economic problems versus the government maintaining control.

Dynastic issues in Mid-Tudor crisis

Mary being a woman and Edward being too young were seen as dynastic weaknesses.

Economic problems in Mid-Tudor period

Debasement of coinage, poor harvests, disease, and unemployment.

Effectiveness of Somerset's government

Ineffective; he neglected the council, made decisions independently, and failed to address problems, focusing instead on war.

1549 rebellions threat level

local gentry often failed to control the risings, requiring central government intervention; however, the rebellions lacked coordination and didn't directly target the monarch.

Northumberland's government improvement

By restoring the Privy Council to the center of government.

Economic problems under Northumberland

Rising population and unemployment, falling living standards, the collapse of the Antwerp cloth market, and inflation due to debasement.

Northumberland's actions on economic issues

Restored the Treason Act, implemented censorship, and introduced a new poor law.

Weaknesses of Mary's Privy Council

It was too large, contained too many inexperienced members, and was divided by Catholic/Moderate rivalries.

Mary's leadership style impact

She lacked confidence in her council and often consulted Renard instead, hindering effective governance.

Parliament's response to Mary's policies

Parliament often opposed Mary's policies and bills, resulting in lively debates, though generally constructive.

Problems faced by Mary's government

Bad harvests, outbreaks of illness, and high mortality rates.

Actions taken by Mary's government

Encouraged local authorities to act against hoarders and attempted to foster trade relationships with other countries.