As Vice Gerent in Spirituals, Cromwell had considerable power over the church - Henry can justify the dissolution of the monasteries due to their corruption: Cromwell implemented the idea so was given this title.
2 Formulations (statements of Faith) - 10 articles in 1536 and 6 articles of 1539.
2 Injunctions
Cranmer as Archbishop of Canterbury was less active.
Cromwell was the politician, unlike Cranmer.
10 articles pushed Protestant principals and removed some Catholic ones.
Injunction of 1536 called for obedience to the supremacy, 10 articles and started a campaign against Catholic practices - superstitions, like buying salvation.
Opposition to these was clear as holy days were still observed and priests still taught purgatory (between Heaven and Hell) - lots of priests were Catholic therefore still taught Catholicism and Catholic practices - Cromwell was pushing too much, too quickly.
Second Injuction of 1538 put the 2 new English bibles in every Parish.
1 of 5
Reason 1 - Pushing Protestantism too far (part 2)
A campaign against holy days, shrines, pilgrimages and images was introduced, too (2nd injunction) - Henry himself had religious images and went on pilgrimages - Cromwell was going against the king!
6 articles of 1539 began pushing the agenda back with key Catholic teachings reasserted - transubstantiation, confession and a ban on priests marrying.
Henry was asserting his views and conservative, Catholic principles.
Cromwell was subtly trying to change things in the hopes Henry wouldn't read the detail.
Henry was an astute politician so read everything and changed Cromwell's views in 1538 to get his beliefs in 1539.
Henry was "flexing his political muscles" over Cromwell and religion when he had John Lambert executed in 1538.
He was a key reformer who trained many radical priests.
2 of 5
Reason 2 - Foreign Affairs
Cromwell constantly pushed for a German alliance to promote Protestant links with England (to fight against Catholic enemies and to further Protestantism in England, Henry was excommunicated [thrown out] from the church which meant he'd be condemned to Hell, other rulers then wanted to take over England).
England was isolated as France and the Empire openly prosecuted Protestants.
Still calls for an anti English crusade.
In 1540, war between France and Spain broke out, defusing the need for a German alliance.
3 of 5
Reason 3 - Marriage to Anne of Cleves
Cromwell proposed a marriage between Henry and the daughter of a German Protestant Duke - this suited Cromwell's needs, Henry had been trapped by Cromwell and forced into doing something he didn't want to do (ultimate reason for Cromwell's fall!).
It was a disaster and sealed Cromwell's fate.
Henry detested the sight of her, calling her the "Flander's mare" (horse).
Henry had only seen her portrait before they married.
Cromwell ordered Holbein to paint her and he flattered her appearance.
The marriage went ahead, but it was unconsummated (no sexual intercourse).
It was declared null and void the following month.
Anne accepted her fate and was given land worth £3,000 and lived in England.
4 of 5
Reason 4 - Enemies at Court
They gathered information about Cromwell and gave it to Henry (timing was key!).
They found that he protected Protestants in Calais and didn't enforce the 6 articles.
Norfolk also introduced his niece to court - the young Katherine Howard (she was 15 at the time, it was to pull Henry in towards their views).
Henry was captivated by Katherine's youth and charm.
Cromwell had been outmanouvered and there was nothing he could do.
Cromwell was arrested in June 1540, and executed in July 1540.
Henry removed a man who had ended 3 of his marriages, broke with Rome, got the royal supremacy, dissolved the monasteries and doubled the royal income (Cromwell delivered and got all the big/major things Henry wanted, Henry was fickle, ruled by his emotions and too easily persuaded by others, England as a whole did not gain anything, whilst Henry got everything).
Cromwell's fall signaled the end of the rise of evangelicals.
Conservative backlash was introduced as a result (Catholic's could now insist on their ways and views).
Comments
No comments have yet been made