Protestantism by end of Edward's reign

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  • Created by: Luciieee
  • Created on: 29-03-15 21:20

Protestantism by end of Edward's reign

Advantages

  • Haigh - 70% of northern wills gave money to parish 1540-46, only 32% in Ed's reign
  • Protestant preambles becoming more common e.g. in Suffolk 27% of lay wills had Protestant preambles during Ed's reign

Disadvantages

  • Brigden estimates that in 1547 20% of Londoners were Protestant - leaders of London Protestantism were key Somerset's advisers e.g. Kent + East Sussex - didn't really exist elsewhere
  • Catholic survivalism strong esp. Lancashire and Midlands counties
  • Rapid responses to restoration of Catholicism in 1553 indicate dissatisfaction (Haigh)
  • Although less people leaving money to church because they felt it was likely bequests would be confiscated by Crown -  especially makes sense for Northern areas as Catholic stronghold
  • Preambles tended to reflect opinions of the minister who wrote them - do not actually indicate Protestantism among masses
  • Religion actually becoming less important for people e.g. decline in church attendance in diocese of Exeter - Haigh states this is result of such factors as "services became plainer, plays and ales were suppressed" - less to attract laity to church - didn't encourage Protestantism as so much as remove religious drive among masses

Evaluation

Clear majority weren't Protestant - forcing religious practices of those in power on to masses has little impact without attempt to educate as to why beliefs are important - otherwise there will just be resistanceHowever, over time may have seen gradual acceptance of changes - as was seen among laity in Eliz's reign

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