Impact of the Reformation

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Impact of the Reformation on the English Church

The Reformation secured the Break from Rome, but it is difficult to say that the English Church was truly Protestant.

Changes felt in daily life

Despite the Act of Supremacy, most people weren’t affected by the change in leadership from the Pope to Henry.

Threat to Protestants and Catholics

It was still dangerous to be Protestant, so reformers like Cromwell and Cranmer had to be very careful when trying to implement changes.
However, it was also dangerous to be seen as supporting the Pope and opposing the Royal Supremacy, so Catholics like the Duke of Norfolk and Steven Gardiner had to be cautious too.

Cromwell's reforms, 1536

1536 Act of 10 Articles:
- There should only be 3 sacraments instead of 7.
- This was a move towards Protestantism.
1536 Royal Injunctions:
- Clergy to preach about supporting the Royal Supremacy and 10 articles.
- Pilgrimages and saints’ days reduced, which were seen as Catholic superstitions.

Cromwell's reforms, 1537-8

1537 Bishops Book:
- Returned to 7 sacraments, although the three in the 10 articles were the most important.
- This was a slight return to Catholicism.
1538 Royal Injunctions:
- English bibles to be placed in every church.
- Images, statues and relics to be removed from churches.
- It was seen as a huge victory for the Protestants.

Cranmer and Protestant reforms

Cranmer was a committed Protestant and had helped to write many of these changes but had to be flexible to avoid trouble with Henry, even allowing Protestants to be burnt to death.

Return to Catholicism?

However, by 1538 Henry started to move back towards Catholicism and in 1539 published the Six Articles.
It confirmed Catholic beliefs such as transubstantiation and purgatory and that priests should be celibate.
Cranmer had to send his wife and children away to avoid imprisonment.
By 1540 the Protestants had therefore only made minor progress. However, things like the bible in English had been one of their main aims so they felt optimistic for the future.

1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1.1Henry VIII, Renaissance Prince

1.1.2The Rise of Wolsey

1.1.3Wolsey's Domestic Reforms

1.1.4Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.5Evaluating Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.6The Succession & Annulment

1.1.7Fall of Wolsey

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey 2

2Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1.1The Rise of Cromwell

2.1.2The King's Annulment

2.1.3Cromwell & the King's Marriages

2.1.4Cromwell & Government

2.1.5Cromwell & Parliament

2.1.6Fall of Cromwell

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromewell

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromwell 2

3The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1.1The Break with Rome

3.1.2Opposition to the Reformation

3.1.3Impact of the Reformation

3.1.4Role of Religious Houses

3.1.5Dissolution of the Monasteries

3.1.6Impact of Dissolution

3.1.7The Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.8Evaluating the Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.9End of Topic Test - The Reformation

3.1.10End of Topic Test - The Reformation 2

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