Protestantism Under Edward VI
History: Edexcel A Level England, 1509-1603, topic 2.3.2
Protestantism Under Edward VI
Edward VI's regime drove religious reform. By the end of Edward VI's reign, the Church of England's doctrine was undoubtedly more Protestant.
Act of Uniformity
- In 1549, the Act of Uniformity was passed.
- This attempted to standardise religious worship.
- The act indicated a break from traditional worship.
- E.g. sermons were to be in English, not Latin.
- Historians, however, have emphasised continuity from traditional worship.
- E.g. The behaviour and clothing of priests remained the same.
Common Prayer Book
- In 1549, Cranmer oversaw the creation of a new Prayer Book.
- The Prayer Book was full of compromises.
- It stated that there was no corporeal presence in bread and wine.
- Yet there was enough room for traditionalists to be satisfied.
- This was received with hostility, leading to rebellion in Cornwall.
- Cranmer (1549) in his essay ‘Of Ceremonies, why some be abolished and some retained’ on finding a compromise between conservative and reformers: “It was thought expedient not so much to have respect how to please and satisfy either of these parties, as how to please God and profit them both”.
Clerical Marriage
- In 1549, clerical marriage was legalised.
- This was attractive for clergymen. By the early 1550s, 15% of the clergy were married.
The Second Act of Uniformity
- In 1552 the Second Act of Uniformity was passed, under Northumberland.
- This stated that it was an offence for the clergy or laity to not attend church services.
- The need for this act demonstrates the state’s recognition that some members of society were refusing to frequent parish churches.
- E.g. Bishop Hooper in Gloucester noted that some people went out of their way to find the more traditionalist prayer book.
The 1552 Prayer Book
- The Prayer book was revised in order to remove the embarrassing traditionalist elements in 1549 book.
Test yourself on Protestantism Under Edward VI
When was clerical marriage legalised?