Religious Change under Edward VI

Religion under Somerset

Differences in Opinion

• he was a moderate Protestant who preferred a cautious approach
• there was an even balance of opinion among the bishops
• the majority of the population were conservative in their outlook
• in East Anglia there was considerable support for religious reform

Religion under Somerset

The Introduction of Reform

• 1547: injunction issued - services must be conducted in English
• Each congregation must have the Paraphrases and the Book of Homilies
• Bishops instructed to remove 'superstitious' images and statues
• It was agreed clerical marriage should be reintroduced
• The Chantries Act was passed; removal of centres of superstition
• The Treason Act was passed; reformers could discuss issues more freely
• 1548: Communion in Both Kinds was allowed
• The sacraments were reduced and superstitious practices removed

Religion under Somerset

The Reaction

• Riots of iconoclasm broke out in southern England
• Pamphlets attacked the wealth of the church and the Eucharist
• Bishop Bonner was arrested after his protests
• There was opposition in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Yorkshire

Religion under Northumberland

Reform

• 1549: all altars to be replaced with communion tables
• ordination was changed, allowing priests to administer the sacraments
• 1551: new Treason Act passed, an offence to question royal supremacy.
• second Act of Uniformity passed: recusancy is an offence
• new Book of Common Prayer became the basis for church services

Religion under Northumberland

Reactions

• Hooper complained the ordination was too Catholic
• There were complaints at the continued wearing of vestments.