‘New religious ideas were the driving force behind reforms of the church from ’ How far do you agree with this statement ? (25 marks)
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AQA
‘New religious ideas were the driving force behind reforms of the church from ’ How far do you agree with this statement ? (25 marks)
21/25 marks
To a certain extent new religious ideas were the driving force behind the reform of the church, however it was more complex than new religious id...
‘New religious ideas were the driving force behind reforms of the church from 1529-1563’
How far do you agree with this statement ? (25 marks)
To a certain extent new religious ideas were the driving force behind the reform of the
church, however it was more complex than new religious ideas causing the reformation but
is rather an interplay of key individuals interests and beliefs as well as monarchical
ambitions.
It is clear that in Henry VIII's reign he was leaning towards new religious ideas as they began
to emerge, and would have further impact when his children began to rule. Erasmus
published several books that criticised the war and wealth of Catholicissm and during the
end of Mary I’s reign and the start of Elizabeth’s Foxe's book of martyrs had catalogued the
horrors of the executions and served as anti-catholic propaganda throughout Elizabeth reign.
This suggests that these religious ideas were a huge part in shaping the anglican church as
they easily spread throughout Europe. However, many of these new ideas at the start of the
15th century were limited in response until the bible was in English as Martin Luther’s 95
Theses stated the Bible was the ultimate authority not the pope and humans only reached
heaven by faith and not because of good deeds. Many people were aware of the Church's
corruption and the education of the Clergy was weak. As a result many people showed
signs of partial weakening of Catholic enthusiasm in the South East as they could access
and be influenced with new religious ideas from overseas much more easily than people in
the north west as devotion to Catholicism remained strong.
Furthermore, ministers, specifically under Henry VIII. were also the driving force behind the
reforms of the Church, or they may be considered the main factors. By 1529 Henry
portrayed Wolsey as everything corrupt with the church and was meant to be executed
because he was accused of praemunire and only further emphasises that Ministers did try to
prevent the reformation. Cromwell could take advantage of Henry VIII’s Great matter by
creating the 10 Articles in 1536 which meant some influences of a Protestant Church as it
remained 4 sacraments but it was rather a political move made by the ministers as it only
bean with Henry VII’s conflict with the Pope over the annulment of his marriage and led to
the establish of the church of England with the kings as its head. In 1521, Henry VII had
actually earned the title “Defender of the faith” for his defence of the seven sacraments ,
which argued against the 95 Theses which could further imply he was not influenced by new
religious ideas but this would clearly change by v1529 and have an effect on Edwards VI
and Elizabeth I's education as they were given Humanists education which is influenced by
the Protestant religion also. However, it is clear that although Henry VII wanted an
annulment he would not prioritise this above being a foreign power which can be seen in the
6 articles in 1539 which returned the 7 sacraments. This did not mean the reforms were
long lasting . It was only Cromwell’s dissolution of the monastery which had a long term
impact as these lands were sold off and the church would no longer be accessible to society
ministers ambitions to change the Catholic church was a major factor in the reformation as
these changes were influenced by the Great Matter.
During each Monarch’s religious policy, it is clear to see only Henry VII was heavily
influenced by these ideas as he started the reformation but he prioritised having a male heir
more. This meant Anne Boleyn’s influence using Tyndale’s book to emphasise that the
“power of the Pope usurps the power of the king” was impactful in how he dealt with the
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