religious policy

When did he start encouraging criticism from Pope and reduce persecution of reformers?

From 1529

1531 religious change

accepted as supreme head ‘as far as the law of Christ allows’ by the clergy

January 1532

Act of Parliament preventing payment of annates to Rome

May 1532

‘Submission of the Clergy’- power to veto Church laws an to choose bishops, even if not approved by Rome (Act against Annates)

August 1532

asked Pope to appoint Cranmer, a reformer with some Protestant views- growing influence of reformers, Anne Boleyn, Cromwell

Anne Boleyn’s influence

appointment of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Sharron to vacant bishops’ posts

February 1533

Act in Restraint of Appeals- denied Henry’s subjects the right to appeal to the Pope against decisions in English Church courts

Act of Supremacy (Henry VIII)

1534- acknowledged king as head of the Church, treason act made denial of royal authority a capital offence- Howver less important as Popes had little involvement in day to day decision making and control in England, Rome rarely appealed for legal decisions- only political changes until 1536

Ten articles of Faith

1536- included some distinctly Lutheran ideas but retained Catholic elements. Vagueness- dead to be prayed to, but no mention of purgatory. Luther’s idea of salvation by faith reflected. Wording of Eucharist Catholic

1536 and 1538

injunctions

Bishop’s book

1537, offered interpretation and advice, attacked abuses and superstition associated with Catholicism and encouraged Protestant reformers

1538

a copy of the English Bible (1537) to be placed in every parish church, and read and examined by congregation- accessibility of Bible could not easily be reversed

Later 1530s

Swing back to Catholicism- waning influence of Cromwell and growing influence of Catholic Howard family

6 articles

1539- largely Catholic, clerical clerical celibacy to continue, enforced Catholic belief about Eucharist- transubstantiation and communion bread only for the laity, emphasised 7 sacraments of Catholic Church. 2 Reforming bishops, Latimer and Shannon resigned

monasteries henry

permanent reminders of the Catholic Church. Their primary role, to pray for the salvation of souls, not in keeping with new Protestant theology. 1536: Act for the Dissolution of the Smaller Monasteries. 1539: Act for the Dissolution of the Larger Monasteries

Final years of Henry’s reign?

July 1543: married Catherine Parr- Protestant sympathiser. By final years: reform faction dominant: Catherine Parr, Edward Seymour, Sir William Piaget. Gardiner (leading bishop opposed to doctrinal reforms)-pushed out of inner circle of royal advisors. 1540-47 Protestants mostly persecuted and ideas attacked. However Cranmer remained Archbishop of Canterbury. By end of reign: Preaching of Protestant ideas suppressed, but country remained separated from Pope’s control, Bible still available in English and limited reforms against the worship of saints and other superstitious practices had survived. Eucharist seen as catholic. Only clergy allowed to receive both bread and wine. All 7 Catholic sacraments remained. Confession of sins to priest seen as essential. English clergy could not marry

 However: Services still in Latin but Cranmer had succeeded in 1545 in introducing some elements in English. Great Bible of 1539 the authorised English translation. Less emphasis on saints and laity forbidden to go on pilgrimages. Number of saints days reduced to 25. Debate in universities and at court about the future shape of the Church and doctrine was beginning to widen out into the community. Protestant influences in some parts of London and the south-east as well as in ports such as Hull

Somerset initial approach

Reform group dominated the council and key government posts. Protestant minority in London and South East. Tried to adopt a moderate and cautious approach. Thomas Cranmer remained as Archbishop of Canterbury and supported him in this. Exiled Protestants who had fled persecution began returning, and settled along the east coast. Relaxation of press censorship led to a massive increase in the number of pamphlets and writings against Catholicism and to the free circulation of the writings of Matin Luther and John Calvin. At first: logical policy- helped stall for time. Full-scale enquiry into the state of the Church of England launched- sings of resistance to change from local communities

Parliament met under Somerset

November 1547: Measures introduced which undid the 6 Articles and rules that provided for services and Bibles to be in English strengthened, Treason acts formally  repealed the 6 Articles Act and the heresy, treason and censorship laws which had stifled religious debate. Chantries Act abolished chantries- main purpose to pray for dead, used to raise money for war in Scotland

Act of Uniformity under Edward

1549, Imposed a single standard of worship across England in order to end religious confusion. English was to be used as the language of worship, congregation to be offered both bread and wine during communion. Did not create a full Protestant Church- services conducted under similar lines and by priests dressed and behaved as always

Prayer Book under Somerset

1549 released by Cranmer alongside Act of Uniformity,Didn’t entirely deny the central Catholic idea of transubstantiation, but gave the impression that the priest was simply commemorating an event

Western rebellion

1549, Religion provided focus needed for riots. Leaders of Cornish revolt demanded the restoration of Catholic doctrines and practices, including the mass in Latin and a ban of the English Bible. When gov ordered that the new Prayer Book should be used in churches, groups were formed to resist- full scale rebellion by mid-June. No attempt made to go to London. Rebellion also due to other causes. Meant gov had to split attention between this, troops in Scotland and Kett’s rebellion

Northumberland

supported radicals. Conservatives lost prominent positions: gardiner imprisoned in TOL, Bishop Bonner of London deprived of his diocese, Ridley appointed in his places. New reforming bishops appointed

Parliament under Northumberland

January 1552- Treason Act (offence to question royal supremacy or beliefs of the English Church), Second Act of Uniformity (offence for clergy and laity not to attend COE services- fined or imprisoned), 1552 Prayer Book (removed all traces of Catholicism and the mass, Eucharist (last supper) a commemorative ceremony)

1553 instructions

Bishops had to ensure alters were replaced by communion tables, and clergy should not wear vestments when taking services, attack on Church wealth for gov needs- commissioners began removal of all gold and silver plate still held in parish churches

42 Articles

doctrines listed influenced by Calvin and Luther, hierarchy and gov of Church stayed the same with archbishops, bishops, and dioceses.

Parliament under Mary (1)

October 1533- first act of repeal- sweept away all religious legislation under Edward, persuaded not to try and achieve any more

Parliament under Mary (2)

January 1555, Second act of repeal- abolished all doctrinal legislation since 1529, included 1534 act if supremacy- reinstatement of Pope as head of church

Return of Cardinal Pole from exile to England

November 1554

Gov religious policy under Mary two strands

education: bishops instructed to set up local training schools and make regular visits to observe work of priests in their area, national decrees showed standards expected from priests and new editions of prayer book and bible issued

Persecution: leading Protestant church men, e.g: Cranmer, arrested and replaced by Catholics. Within a year: senior clergy purged of Protestant elements. Revival of Heresy law- executions began in February 1555- around 300 burned

Death of Cranmer

1556

Royal Proclamation Elizabeth

December 1558, insisted no preaching

First attempts of religious reform under Elizabeth

Blocked by Catholic bishops appointed under Mary- objected to restoration of 1552 prayer book and a woman being head of church

Act of Supremacy Elizabeth

May 1559, Elizabeth ‘Supreme Governor’- required all churchmen to swear an oath of loyalty to her, commissioners sent out to investigate at a parish level, and the Court if High Commissioners set up to prosecute those whose loyalty was suspect

Structure of church Elizabeth

Still two archbishops (Canterbury and York), and bishops

Act of Uniformity Elizabeth

May 1559- alter replaced with communion table, but Catholic artefacts such as crosses and candles could be placed on it, rules on what priests should wear. People more concerned with liturgy than theological disputes. Attendance at church made compulsory, attendance at Catholic mass a serious offence. Anyone saying mass could face death penalty

Royal injunctions 1559

July 1559, 57 instructions, including: preachers had to be licensed by a bishop, every church had to have an English bible, pilgrimages outlawed, no more altars to be destroyed

1559 Prayer book

book of common prayer- fusion of 1549 and 1552 books- vagueness about transubstantiation

1563

39 Articles

Reaction to settlement Elizabeth

around 400 of clergy lost or resigned their livings as refused to accept settlement, almost all Catholic bishops appointed under Mary dismissed. Survey of JPS in 1564 found only half actively supported settlement