Mary's Religious Reforms

What problems did Mary I experience with religious reform?

• Protestantism - minority but had attracted people in London

• Church of England was protected by the law

• Many political elites, who Mary needed support of, received much financial gain from Church land and had no desire to surrender it back

How did Mary I begin carefully with her Religious reforms?

Many prominent protestant bishops had their livings removed and some imprisoned

• foreign protestants were ordered to leave England (most did)

• Began her first attack on Protestantism at her first parliament in October 1553

How did Mary I attack Protestantism in her first parliament in October 1553?

• Religious Laws under Edward VI had been repealed

• Order of service returned

• All clergy that married could have their livings removed

• The legal status of the Church was upheld

What were the Royal Injunctions passed in Jan 1554?

Ordered Bishops to suppress heresy, remove married clergy, restore Holy days, processions and ceremonies, with Bishop Gardiner removing married clergy of their livings

What issue did Mary I experience with her Religious Reforms?

Had to rely on Parliament to pass legislation to reverse the ‘Royal Authority’ of the church

• this meant that she would have to acknowledge the original laws passed by her father - which she previously risked execution from refusing to accept this

When was the status of the Church resolved?

3rd Parliament - November 1554 to January 1555

What was the Issue with the Dissolution of the Monasteries?

Land from the dissolution of monasteries had fallen into private hands

• Pope Julius III and Reginald Pole - no question that it should be restored to the Church

• Imperial Ambassador Renard told Charles V that most of the land was in Catholic hands rather than Protestants - not enough!

• Pope Julius wanted the English Church to submit to Rome first before any exemption be given to land owners

• Privy Council, Charles V & Phillip II - knew this was not possible

• Pope reluctantly agreed - Cardinal Pope arrived in England in Nov 1554 to take position as legate and Archbishop of Canterbury

What did Mary I do in her 3rd Parliament (1554-1555)?

Reversed the Acts of Attainder - used against Pole under Henry VIII

• until the issues of the Church lands was resolved there could not be a religious settlement in England

• many debates between Pole and councillors who vied that no foreigner could pass law over English property

• Mary sympathised with Pole, and she even threatened to abdicate

What was the Act of Repeal in January 1555?

Removed the Royal Supremacy act

• had no choice but to recognise the statue law her father had passed

What was the Second Act of Repeal in 1555?

Denying Catholicism would result in burning - “turn or burn”

• church lands returning to the Pope would not be apart of the deal

BLOODY MARY!

How did Cardinal Pole see his role?

Pastoral Terms

• resources of the Church needed to be restored - quality & quantity of bishops being improved

• Mary had appointed new bishops who took their role responsibly - reflected the counter reformation

What was Pole’s legatine synod (1555-1556)?

Laid out clear expectations that bishops should stay in their dioceses

• bishops were to breach & to be more rigorous in administering their parishes

• counter reformation - should be for each Cathedral a seminary (training) for new recruits to the Priesthood

With greater time Pole’s reforms would have worked - depended on the commitment of each Parish

What happened as a result of Pope Julius II’s death in 1555?

Succeeded by the anti-Spanish Paul IV

• not only hostile towards Phillip but also towards Pole - heretic

• hospitality was seen when he sided with French when war broke out in 1555 - which England and Mary would later be dragged into

• Mary found herself in a war with the Pope!

What did Pope Paul do in 1557?

Dismissed Pole as Papal Legate - blow to Pope and his prestige

• However, Mary refused to let him go and Pope Paul accused Pole of heresy

• New Papal Legate became William Peto - but Mary only trusted Pole and refused to accept Peto as a high position in the Church than Archbishop of Cantbury

• This too deeply affect her relationship with the Pope!

What religion did Mary I want England to return to?

Catholicism

Which laws did Mary repeal to restore Catholic practices?

• Act of Supremacy

• Act of Uniformity

What happened to church services under Mary I?

They returned to Latin

Why was Mary unable to fully restore the monastires?

The land had been sold to nobles

Who became Archbishop of Canterbury under Mary I?

Reginald Pole

Why was Mary I given the name “Bloody Mary”?

She ordered the burning of Protestants

Approximately how many Protestants were burned during Mary’s reign?

Around 300

How did Mary’s religious policies affect her popularity?

They cause fear and resentment

Why did Mary I restore the heresy laws?

To identify and punish Protestants