Henry VIII & Religion

Henrician Reformation

Although Henry VIII was against the Pope, he didn’t agree much with Protestantism either. His ‘Reformation’ was not very Protestant and is often called the Henrician Reformation.

Theological to-ing and fro-ing

Key theological issues were unresolved in the 1530s.
In 1536, the Act of Ten Articles rejected four of the Catholics’ seven sacraments.
But in 1537, the Bishops' Book was published. It gave advice and attacked abuses and Catholic superstitions. But it also restored the missing four sacraments.
An English Bible was published. Its frontispiece showed God giving Henry VIII His word and Henry VIII handing it to the English people.

Theological resolution

In 1539, the Act of the Six Articles confirmed key Roman Catholic beliefs including confession to priests and, most importantly, transubstantiation (the substance of the wine and bread in communion becomes Christ's body and blood).
The Act banned Protestant beliefs like married clergy and giving the wine as well as bread at holy communion.
In 1539, the Act for Dissolution of the Greater Monasteries made sure of the continuation of a vital source of revenue as Henry was fortifying southern England.

Dissolution of the monasteries

Although there were political and economic reasons for the dissolution of the monasteries, there were religious ones too.
As Vicar-General, Cromwell was against ‘superstitious’ Catholic practices, such as praying for souls of dead in Purgatory, saints’ relics and pilgrimages.
In 1535, Cromwell sent out Visitations telling them to find evidence that monks and nuns were not living up to their vows.

Henrician Reformation

The Henrician Reformation is often called 'Catholicism without the Pope'.

Historical Assessment

It was difficult for even contemporaries of Henry VIII to understand his changing religious beliefs.
- Richard Morrison, a humanist with connections to Thomas Cromwell, said: 'Of all the miracles and wonders of our time, I take the change of our sovereign lord’s opinion on matters concerning religion to be even the greatest.'
Referring to this quote, historian Richard Rex (1997), a professor of the Reformation says that 'Henry’s change of opinion has challenged historians ever since.'

Change in 1547 During Henry VIII's Reign

Between 1536 and 1547, England's religious landscape changed dramatically. But the Reformation was not irreversible.

Protestant reformers

Hardline Protestants such as Hugh Latimer and Thomas Cranmer were spreading Protestant beliefs through their preaching and prominence in government.
Cromwell was pushing for doctrinal reform, as demonstrated in the Ten Articles of Faith. This was a compromise between Lutheran and traditional Catholic ideas.

Internal divisions

Historian Peter Marshall describes the 'kaleidoscopic diversity' of Protestants in Tudor England.
This reminds us that there were considerable divisions amongst Protestant reformers. They couldn't agree at all about what the future of the Church looked like.

Impact of the vernacular scripture

Perhaps the most noticeable changes in the Church, to an ordinary layman, was the use of vernacular scripture (an English Bible).
A contemporary, called Becon, describes the impact of this change: 'the restoration of Scripture was the foremost reason to praise God and the king'.

The future of the Church of England?

Following Henry VIII's death in 1547, Edward VI came to the throne.
But Edward VI was only nine years old and dependent on a regency government. Edward VI's advisors and ministers would become very influential in shaping the Church of England.
The future of the English nation and the religious settlement was very uncertain.

Continuity of Religion in 1547

During the 1540s, many Catholic beliefs were reinforced by the government. Evidence from parish records shows that the majority of English people did not like radical religious change.

Henry's conservatism

Henry VIII was undoubtedly conservative in his religious views.
In reaction to the changes between 1535 and 1538, he had a conservative backlash. This is seen in the tone of the Six Articles of 1539.

Opposition to change

There was still resistance to religious change at Court.
Key figures refused to take the oath accepting Henry's divorce. Examples included the Chancellor, Thomas More and the Bishop of Rochester, John Fisher. Both were executed.

The experience of the laity

Although reformers were obsessed with the theological details, most of the laity were not concerned with this.
By and large, the experience of the laity did not change hugely during the Henrician Reformation.

Historical debate on the Catholic Church

It is too simplistic to say that the Catholic Church was doomed after Henry VIII's break from Rome.
In the 16th century and thereafter, Protestants created the myth that the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism was easy.
Historians, such as Duffy, have argued that the Catholic Church still had a rich religious culture and was popular in the mid-1500s.

Historical assessment

Was the Henrician Reformation popular?
- Ethan Shagan (2002) 'The reformation was "popular" in that people played an important role in deciding what sort of reformation they experienced and constructing the meanings in their communities.' 'English Reformation was not done _to_ people, it was done with them.'
- Christopher Haigh (1993) 'The Protestant Reformation was far less effective than the political reformations had been: legislative destruction proved easier than evangelical construction.'
- Davis (1997) 'Although some Lollards were anti-papal there were few reformers in the years 1531-33 who shared their views...'

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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