Protestant Influences

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Martin Luther's Influence Over the Reformation

The Reformation in Europe began with Martin Luther. His most famous work was the 95 Theses.

Luther was a monk from Germany.
Luther believed that the Catholic Church was corrupt (greedy and abusing its power).

The 95 Theses criticised the Catholic Church.
In particular, Luther took issue with the Church selling ‘indulgences’ (cancelling earthly punishment for sins).
Luther pinned the 95 Theses to the door of his local church. This shows it was meant for clergymen.

Luther established his own church, called the Lutheran Church.
Luther disagreed with ‘transubstantiation’ (the idea that the substance of the wine and bread in communion becomes Christ's body and blood).
Luther also believed the Bible should be translated into the vernacular (language of the local area).
- For his church, he translated the Bible into German.

To a degree, Luther's ideas did gain a foothold in England.
Ryrie (2002): "It is certainly true that the early evangelical movement in England was permeated with Lutheran texts."
Ryrie (2002): "Many of the reforms his regime implemented would accord with a Lutheran agenda: the provision of vernacular Scripture, the destruction of monasticism, and even the dismantling of the doctrine of purgatory and the system of devotion that went with it."

Hall (1979): Henry VIII detested Luther and did not want anyone challenging his ultimate authority over the Church of England.
Ryrie (2002): "Henry maintained a lifelong loathing of those who denied the eucharistic presence."
McEntegart (1992): Lutheran influence was limited to "a small group of people around the king [Edward VI]".

Anne Boleyn had the King’s ear in the 1520s and 1530s. She was a Protestant and offered patronage to Protestant reformers.

Henry VIII began to pursue Anne Boleyn in 1526.
Anne refused to be Henry’s mistress.
He was infatuated with her and this drove his desire to annul his marriage to Catherine.
Anne and Henry married in 1533 in secret, and soon after they had a daughter, Elizabeth.

Henry began to pursue Jane Seymour.
Anne’s downfall was brought about by factional scheming (led by Cromwell).
Cromwell tortured her musician who confessed that Anne had had multiple affairs, even with her own brother.
She was executed in 1536.

Dowing (1990): Anne Boleyn “was regarded as a reformer by her own servants and associates, and...in both her private life and public policy, she was a fervent and committed evangelical.”

Ives (1986): Anne Boleyn “played a major part in pushing Henry into asserting his headship of the church…[she was] the first to demonstrate the potential there was in the royal supremacy for that distinctive English element in the Reformation, the ability of the king to take the initiative in religious change.”
Anne offered patronage to key individuals in the Reformation, such as Latimer and Cranmer.

Due to Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, it was necessary for Anne Boleyn’s reputation to be rehabilitated.
Anne Boleyn was made a martyr and was painted as a major influence in the Reformation. Largely through the work of John Foxe and Hugh Latimer.
Foxe: Anne “was a special comforter and aider of all the professors of Christ’s gospel”.
Bernard (1993): Foxe and Latimer “were presenting Anne as a pious evangelical” and “attempting to retrieve her reputation in general”.

Latimer and Cranmer were key figures which shaped the English Reformation under Henry VIII and Edward VI.

Latimer gained the patronage of Anne Boleyn.
She helped him gain a Bishopric in 1535.
Latimer is famous for his preaching and disseminating Protestantism in England.
One of his most famous sermons was "Sermon of the Plough" which was published in 1548.

Latimer was imprisoned during the final years of Henry VIII’s rule.
Under Somerset and Edward VI, he returned to favour and began to preach in court.
Latimer contributed to the repeal of the Six Articles.

Latimer was executed under Mary I's regime in 1555.
Foxe (1563) on Latimer's execution: "Latimer cried out, 'O Father of heaven, receive my soul' and reached to the flame as if embracing it."

Cranmer also benefited from Anne Boleyn’s patronage but also was a firm favourite of Henry VIII.
Cranmer supported Henry VIII’s claim for the royal supremacy.
He was appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1533.
Cranmer married Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII in 1533 and in 1536 was responsible for gaining declaring the marriage invalid.

In 1537 Cranmer published the ‘Bishop’s Book’. This implemented the break from Rome.
Cranmer, alongside Latimer, helped produce the Coverdale Bible in the vernacular.
Cranmer was also at the helm of Edward VI’s religious programme.
In 1548, Cranmer helped create the new Prayer Book.
Cranmer fell out of favour (alongside Somerset) following Kett’s Rebellion in 1549.