The nature of protests against the Reformation & Resistance to taxation: the Amicable Grant

How did people protest the reformation? (3)

1. Open challenges

2. Private opposition

3. Remaining loyal to Catholicism

4. Refusal to act until forced to do so

5. Opposition from inside

Open challenges

A few brave individuals (e.g. More and Fisher) openly criticised the King from within England, while others (e.g. Cardinal Reginald Pole) attacked his reforms from abroad

• The Pilgrims of Grace used open rebellion as their method of expression

Private opposition

Many still prayed to the pope

Remaining loyal to Catholicism

Most of the traditional habits of the 1520s (the washing of saints, replacement of banners, veils, etc.) continued well into Henry VIll’s reign

How was the vitality of Catholisism seen after Henrys reign?

• The 1550s has revealed the vitality of Catholicism at the local level in Mary’s reign

• Altars, images, crucifixes and candlesticks were quickly restored to the churches and there was a rise in the number of men training to be priests

Refusal to act until forced to do so

Churchwardens’ accounts have revealed many traditional Catholic practices continued until the Government could enforce compliance

What percentage of churches did not obey to new injunctions?

• 6 months after the 1538 Injunctions, 80% of churches in 3 Lincoln deaneries had not bought the new English bibles and diocesan officials were doing nothing to enforce them

What encouraged the churches to obey?

However, a proclamation and the threat of a £2 fine in 1541 encouraged their use - By 1545 most churches had them

Opposition from inside

Some people believed that the best method of preventing the spread of Protestantism was to attack it discreetly from within

• Bishop Longland of Lincoln, for example, continued preaching Catholic doctrine in his diocese

Resistance to taxation: the Amicable Grant

What caused instability and disorder during Henry VIIIs reign?

During Henry VIII's reign, taxes to fund foreign wars caused instability and disorder

What areas did taxes affect the worse during Henry VIIIs reign?

In Yorkshire, especially upland areas, there were complaints about the subsidy for Henry’s 1513 campaigns; some taxes were eventually written off

What grant did many refuse to pay and when?

In 1525, many refused to pay the Amicable Grant, with widespread opposition across England

Where was the strongest resistance to the grant?

Strongest resistance was in north Essex and south Suffolk; approximately 1,000 people gathered at the Essex-Suffolk border to resist payment

How many tax resister did the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk face?

Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk faced about 4,000 tax resisters, mainly unemployed cloth workers unable to pay

How was resistance to the grant handled?

Authorities handled resistance sensitively; Wolsey and the king backed down, offering pardons and leniency to leaders

What did the grant resistance highlight?

The incident highlighted Henry’s reliance on the taxpaying classes; he could not operate effectively without their support

What did Henry chnage about finding his wars in the future?

When invading France again, Henry supplemented revenue from the sale of monastic lands, in addition to extraordinary taxes