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The Reformation and its impact, 1529 to 40
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Henry broke with Rome, made himself head of the Church and closed the monasteries. Some resisted, at great cost.
The break with Rome
In 1521 the Pope gave Henry the title 'Defender of the Faith' for writing against Luther.
But to get his annulment, Henry attacked the Pope's power from 1529.
The Act of Succession (1534) made Anne's children heirs and required an oath. The Act of Supremacy (1534) made Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England. New treason laws made it treason to deny this. Cromwell enforced the oaths.
But to get his annulment, Henry attacked the Pope's power from 1529.
The Act of Succession (1534) made Anne's children heirs and required an oath. The Act of Supremacy (1534) made Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England. New treason laws made it treason to deny this. Cromwell enforced the oaths.
Opposition
Elizabeth Barton, the 'Nun of Kent', prophesied against the marriage to Anne and was executed in 1534.
John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Sir Thomas More, the former Lord Chancellor, refused to accept the changes and were executed in 1535.
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cromwell pushed Protestant ideas; an English Bible was placed in churches (1539).
John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Sir Thomas More, the former Lord Chancellor, refused to accept the changes and were executed in 1535.
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cromwell pushed Protestant ideas; an English Bible was placed in churches (1539).
Dissolution and the Pilgrimage of Grace
Monasteries gave charity, education, care for the sick and work.
Cromwell's 1535 survey (the Valor Ecclesiasticus) and inspections claimed corruption. Smaller monasteries closed from 1536, larger ones by 1540. Winners: the king, and nobles and gentry who bought land. Losers: monks, nuns and the poor.
The Pilgrimage of Grace (1536) began in Lincolnshire, then spread to Yorkshire under Robert Aske. The Duke of Norfolk promised pardons, but after more risings in 1537 about 200 rebels, including Aske, were executed.
Cromwell's 1535 survey (the Valor Ecclesiasticus) and inspections claimed corruption. Smaller monasteries closed from 1536, larger ones by 1540. Winners: the king, and nobles and gentry who bought land. Losers: monks, nuns and the poor.
The Pilgrimage of Grace (1536) began in Lincolnshire, then spread to Yorkshire under Robert Aske. The Duke of Norfolk promised pardons, but after more risings in 1537 about 200 rebels, including Aske, were executed.
Explain why Henry dissolved the monasteries.
- He wanted their wealth to boost royal finances.
- Inspections in 1535 claimed monasteries were corrupt, giving a justification.
- Monasteries were loyal to the Pope, so closing them removed opposition.
Answer: Money, claims of corruption, and removing loyalty to Rome.
Defender of the Faith 1521. Acts of Succession and Supremacy 1534; treason laws. Opposition: Elizabeth Barton (1534), Fisher and More (1535). Cranmer, English Bible. Dissolution 1536 to 40. Pilgrimage of Grace 1536 (Aske, Norfolk).
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