tudor government

How did royal power increase after the Reformation?

•       Crown is Supreme Head of the Church

•       More power and prestige

•       Pope is removed and the Catholic Church weakened

•       Crown can decide on religious matters (doctrine)

•       Gains wealth from monasteries and can collect church taxes (First Fruits and Tenths)

•       Land from monasteries is a source of patronage and enables Henry to finance war

How was this power maintained?

•       Power is maintained through the Treason Act, 1534

•       An oath had to be taken accepting the royal supremacy (Act of Succession, 1534)

•       Fear. Those who opposed were dealt with harshly – abbots of Reading, Colchester & Glastonbury, Thomas More, Robert Aske etc.

•       Measures are given force of law through Parliament e.g. Acts for Dissolutions of the monasteries in 1536 & 1539, Act of Six Articles, 1539.

•       Propaganda is used. The printing press and the pulpit help to put across government line.

•       Cromwell, a layman, is given day to day control of church matters from 1535.

•       Church is closely controlled. Loses legal powers in early 1530s. Church money goes to Crown.

•       Heir to the throne (Edward) is committed to maintaining royal supremacy

Changing Relations – The Church

•       The Church is now…