How serious was the opposition to the Henrican Reformation?

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Becky Grevitt

How serious was the opposition to the Henrican Reformation?

The English reformation is widely discussed amongst historians; it was a process that saw the removal of the longstanding Papal influence and the beginnings of a new English Church. The reformation was believed to be a quick process, imposed upon the country from above. The decrees, acts and events of the reformation forced drastic changes upon both the English clergy, masses and the Papacy. These changes were unpopular and discontent was widespread. In spite of such feelings the reformation experienced little delay and monarchical power over the English Church continued to increase. That is not to say there was no opposition to the reformation, for it was rife and potentially serious. The opposition came from both the upper and lower classes, from the monks and nuns and from foreign European powers. This opposition however, was cleverly minimised from the outset, Cromwell’s master plan ensured court opposition was minimal and new acts, oaths and decrees prevented groups and individuals from publicly voicing their dissatisfaction. Those who continued to counter such policies were ruthlessly and swiftly dealt with, often by execution, and used as examples to discourage others.

           

          Henry’s desire for a nation free of foreign religious intervention, total sovereign independence, a yearning of church wealth and the desire for a divorce sewed the seeds for reform. The divorce case angered many people. Catherine of Aragon was a pious and popular Queen who was depicted as a devout Catholic and loyal wife. During the divorce Henry was not only faced with Papal opposition but also staunch resistance from Catherine’s supporters. These first stages of the reformation proved difficult for Henry. He was unable to gain a Papal dispensation and many of his policies were opposed by the queen’s party and the Queen’s head group. Both of these groups worked together to defend Catherine and the Catholic Church. The Queen’s head party were actively represented in both the House of Commons and the Lower House of Convocation. The party included leading members of English society including the Lord Chancellor Thomas More. Thomas More greatly aided the Queen’s party as he acted as an informer of impending government policies. The Queen’s party reacted by countering such policies by the means of public sermons and propagandist treatises. Both More and his college John Fisher were other individuals that acted as constant antagonists to Henry’s policies. They were both staunch supporters of Catherine and had been prominent opponents of Henry’s policies for a long time. They were both active members of the Queen’s head party and openly opposed the King. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester wrote eight books against Henry’s divorce and both men refused to accept the King’s policies. They refused to accept the act of supremacy as well as rejecting the oath of succession.

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This opposition was potentially serious as the Queen’s party was starting to persuade the masses against their King. Meanwhile the Queen’s head party was beginning to persuade other active members of court. Parties such as the Queen’s and the Queen’s head group were easily suppressed from above. More and Fisher, after being treated leniently be the King, were eventually executed under charges of high treason. Other prominent members of Catherine’s support groups were placed under charges of praeminure and the groups, lacking strong leadership were suppresses easily.

          Court opposition concerning both divorce and new ...

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