To What Extent Was England Protestant by 1547?

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Lula Teunissen                07/05/07

To What Extent Was England Protestant by 1547?

In 1547 the religious situation in England was an uncertain one. The country had split from the Catholic Church, due to Henry VIII’s difference of opinion with the Pope, so technically the country was no longer Catholic. However those who supported religious change were not yet referring to themselves as Protestant, though their ideas were clearly inclined towards being so. The religious label had not yet been attached but the country was clearly developing in that direction, favouring emphasis on importance of faith rather than penance, and encouraging services and scripture in English to allow ordinary people to understand.

It can be argued that England cannot be defined as Protestant because such a term barely existed at this time. However using such a simple line of reasoning it can equally be said that England was not Catholic because Henry VIII had split from the Church and named himself head of the Church of England. When considering the extent to which religion England was more inclined it is important to note the evidence of religious values, and Protestant values were evident throughout the country. There is crucial indication of Protestant influence from the fact that there was an English bible in every church, complete with the King on the cover. Services were also in English and the use of relics was declining. These were all extremely Protestant developments which suggest that to a large extent England was Protestant by 1547.

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Some may say that this evidence of Protestantism can be balanced by examples of how England was remaining Catholic, for example the introduction of the Six Articles in 1539, as these showed key Catholic ideas, such as transubstantiation and celibate priests. However the extent of Catholic beliefs was being lessened, for example in 1536 the Ten Articles were produced which showed only three sacraments, instead of the usual seven, which clearly suggested increased Protestantism. In 1545 the Catholic book of prayers was replaced by the more Protestant ‘King’s Prymer’, which is clear evidence of religious change. Remains of Catholicism ...

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