Religion and the Church

The king ran the Church in England and the Church was loyal to the king. 

Consisted of 10,000 regular clergy (monks and nuns) and 35,000 secular clergy (Bishops and priests). 

Despite size and power, number of problems:

• Parish priests poorly educated 
• Priests tried to serve more than one parish (pluralism) 
• 25% of 10,000 parishes no resident clergyman 
• Neglect and criminal activity by clergymen 

Church was popular with people and served them well. 

Wealthy individuals showed support by improving parish church and buildings. 

Aware of the Churches weaknesses but didn't reform or question its authority. 

Pope Innocent VIII first foreign ruler to recognise Henry's claim to throne. Henry sent first ambassador to Rome. 

Employed talented Bishops to serve in government- John Morton, William Warham and Richard Fox. Able to control, expolit power and influence of the Church. 

Could be saved from hell by doing good works, by earning 'indulgences' which meant go to purgatory. Time here shortened by good works or prayers and masses said. 

Church came with mass, priest would perform the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

Not uncommon for the dying to leave money to parish church. 

Religious orders:

• Monastic orders- 1500 1% male population monks. The benedictines, operate larger houses. Cistereians and the Carthusians in remote areas. 
• Friars- funded by charity donations- Dominicians, Franciscans, Augustinians 
• Nunneries- populated by women unsuitable for marriage 

The Renaissance (rebirth of art, architecture, letters) came late to England. 

Humanism based on rediscovery of Latin and Greek texts, leading figures spent time learning Greek and translating key texts. 

First appeared in middle of 15th century. Humanist scholar Erasmus visited England in 1499, impressed by high standards of classical teaching. 

Arrival of printing texts. Henry VII spread propaganda of his succession and denouncing rule of Richard III. 

Established royal libary and Polydore Vergil to write a history of England.

This period saw widening of educational opportunities. 53 new grammar schools founded between 1460 and 1509. Latin was central to grammar school curriculum. 

University education centred on universities Oxford and Cambridge. 

Oxford experienced growth. 

Cambridge found several new colleges, Lady Margaret Beaufort responsible for foundation of St John's college and Christ's college. 

Popular art form of period was drama. 

Famous dramas were mystery plays, performed at the feast of Corpus Christi, by guilds of towns and cities (York, Lincoln, Coventry). 

Important festive occasions which set out moral and religious messages for improvement of audience. 

Local bagpipe and wind groups used on saint days, to great choral pieces sung in cathedrals. 

Most important source of music is the 'Eton Choirbook', compiled around 1505.

Music performed at court or in homes of wealthy. 

Softer music, stringed instruments, recorders, lute. 

Carols also popular.

Massive amount of building and rebuilding of parishes churches occured at this time. 

Vast number of churches built in Gothic perpendicular style.

English culture still followed the Gothic tradition of north-western Europe.