Religion under Edward

Bullet Point Three

Religious change under
Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, 15 47-66

Situation in 1547: Henry’s Legacy

Catholic Aspects

•      The Act of Six Articles of 15 39 set the religious tone for the remainder of Henry’s reign, marking a shift back to Catholicism.  It confirmed transubstantiation, private Masses, the hearing of confession by priests.  It banned the marriage of anybody who had taken a vow of chastity and the taking of communion on both kinds.  There were severe penalties for those who went against the Act. 

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•      Furthermore, in 15 43, the Act for the Advancement of True Religion restricted access to the English Bible to upper-class men and noblewomen in private

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•      In the same year, Henry wrote and published The Necessary Doctrine and Erudition of a Christian Man, defending transubstantiation and the Six Articles

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•      Though English litany was introduced in 15 44, Latin litany could still be used

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•      In 15 46, Anne Askew was burned for denying transubstantiation

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Protestant Aspects

•      Even though Henry wrote and published The Necessary Doctrine and Erudition of a Christian Man in 15 43 that defended transubstantiation and the Six Articles, it also encouraged preaching and attacked the use of images. 

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•      Henry married Catherine Parr in 15 43; she was in favour of reform

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•      In 15 44, English litany was introduced, though Latin litany could still be used

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•      The same year, he appointed Sir John Cheke (a Protestant humanist) as tutor to Prince Edward.  Edward had been brought up a Protestant.

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•      In 15 45, the Chantries Act was passed, to dissolve the chantries, but not enforced

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•      In 15 46, Henry named the heavily Protestant Council of Regency for his heir

Overview

•      Though Henry was Supreme Head of the Church in England (Act of Supremacy, 15 34), the Church that Edward inherited was essentially Catholic.  Thus, the fundamental doctrine of transubstantiation remained (Act of Six Articles, 15 39), the vow of chastity was upheld, and the Latin litany was continued.

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•      Yet, there were elements of Protestantism alongside this.  The monasteries had been dissolved (Act for the Dissolution of the Monasteries, 15 36 and 15 39), Henry personally criticised the use of images and encouraged preaching (The Necessary Doctrine and Erudition of a Christian Man, 15 43), the Great Bible (15 39) remained in circulation, along with the English litany, and the intention to dissolve the chantries (Chantries Act, 15 46) marked the end of Henry’s reign

•      Opposition to religious change was at a minimum in the 15 40s.  There were only 96 accusations of treason from 15…