reasons for a reformation in England

what were the reasons for a reformation in England

religion, H8, parliament, reformist individuals

how was H8 anti-reformist

H8 was a strict Catholic, in the early states of the European reformation, he wrote a thesis attacking the teachings of Luther titled ‘Assertio Septem Sacramentorum’ demonstrating H8s anti-reforming beliefs

what did H8 believe concerning his marriage

H8 believed that he was being punished by God as a result of the Pope’s decision to allow him to marry his brother’s widow

how was the ideas of Martin Luther responsible

The reformation ideas of Martin Luther were widely circulated among intellectuals. Their challenges to the Catholic Church were heard due to anti-clericalism and the corruption of the church. Therefore people were ready for a reformation

what was the influence of reformers in the south east

High profile reformers were present in England (particularly the south east). These reformers challenged the church & wanted to move the English church towards Protestantism

how did the church prompt the reformation

The English church was corrupt, there were widespread examples of Simony, Absenteeism, Pluralism and greed. Monasteries were criticised for being run as businesses rather than religious institutions

how was H8s desire for a heir responsible

H8 wanted a heir, he did not feel that CoA could give him one, so he sought a divorce. To make this happen he needed to distance himself from the Catholic church

how was England’s finances responsible

England’s finances were damaged by years of war with France & Scotland. In order to continue this, England needed a revenue stream, the dissolution of the monasteries provided this revenue

how were H8s imperial aspirations responsible

H8 had imperial aspirations, the presence of monks loyal to institutions based outside of England and the Pope as a foreign figure to whom his subjects owed loyalty, challenging this

how were Tyndale & Fisch responsible

After being introduced to the reforming ideas of Tyndale and Fish, H8 realised the reformation could be used to meet his own desires

how was parliament responsible

Parliament was responsible for the reformation’s course. They voted for the Act of Supremacy, the Act in Restraint of Appeals and the Treasons Act

how was the Richard Hunne case responsible

Members of Parliament were angry at the privileges enjoyed by the clergy, especially the Benefit of the Clergy, especially after the Richard Hunne affair which had angered the merchant classes often represented in parliament

how was Cromwell responsible for the break

Thomas Cromwell, H8s chief minister, was sympathetic to reforming ideas. He therefore pushed H8 in the direction of a break from Rome as a solution to his Great Matter

how was Wolsey responsible

Cardinal Wolsey, the epitome of religious corruption, was removed from power and charged with the crime of Praemunire (being paid by a foreign leader)

how was Boleyn responsible

Anne Boleyn and her family were reformers. Anne was in regular contact with Cambridge academics such as Cranmer, William & Hugh Latimer, and Matthew Parker. These reformers gained patronage from Anne Boleyn and were able to push forward their ideas

how was Cromwell responsible for parliaments reformation

Thomas Cromwell was able to manage parliament effectively and was able to encourage them to pass the Acts which formalised the break from Rome. These acts would have been unlikely to have reaches parliament without Thomas Cromwell

how was Cromwell’s power responsible

Cromwell was appointed Vicegerent of Spirituals in 1534. This made him second only to the king & gave him huge power over the church