‘The Church in England in 1547 was little different from what it had been in the
late 1520s.’ (25)
By 1547, the Church in England had undergone significant change from the late
1520s. The Break with Rome had ended papal authority, and the dissolution of the
monasteries had transformed its structure and wealth. While some Catholic practices
remained, reforms such as the enforcement of the English Bible and Royal
Supremacy marked a clear shift towards a more nationalised Church. Although
elements of continuity persisted, the changes in authority, structure, and religious
practice show that the Church in 1547 was notably different from that of the late
1520s.
It is undoubtedly accurate that there was change in the Church by 1547 as it had
undergone profound changes when compared to the late 1520s, particularly in its
political and theological direction. The Act of Supremacy of 1534, which declared
Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church in England, was a decisive break
from the authority of the Pope and fundamentally altered the governance of the
Church. While it did not immediately affect all aspects of religious practice, it marked
the beginning of a series of transformations that would significantly diverge from the
Catholicism of the 1520s. The dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and
1541 not only stripped the Church of vast amounts of wealth and land but also
undermined the social and charitable functions that the monastic institutions had
long provided. Moreover, the gradual introduction of Protestant ideas during Henry's
reign, such as the publication of the English Bible in 1538, represented a theological
shift that was in stark contrast to the Catholic Church’s traditional reliance on Latin
Scripture and the authority of the clergy in interpreting the Bible. This move towards
a more accessible form of scripture set the stage for further Protestant reforms.By
1547, much of the Church's structure and practices in England still resembled those
of the late 1520s, despite significant political and theological shifts. The Latin Mass
remained the dominant form of worship, with no substantial changes in the liturgical
practices that had characterised Catholicism in the early 16th century. Core Catholic
doctrines, such as the belief in transubstantiation (the notion that the bread and wine
in the Eucharist become the actual body and blood of Christ), and the veneration of
saints, were still upheld by the clergy and the majority of the population. The Six
Articles of 1539, introduced by Henry VIII, reaffirmed many Catholic traditions,
including clerical celibacy, the necessity of confession, and the importance of the
Eucharist, which remained central to religious practice. These Articles were a clear
indication that, despite the royal break with Rome, Henry still sought to preserve key
Catholic practices. Additionally, although the dissolution of the monasteries (1536-
1541) had removed much of the Church's wealth and land, the monasteries'
influence over local communities had not entirely disappeared. The monastic land,
much of which was sold to the nobility, continued to play a role in local social and
economic structures. In terms of governance, the hierarchical structure of the
Church, with bishops and priests at its centre, remained largely intact. The
late 1520s.’ (25)
By 1547, the Church in England had undergone significant change from the late
1520s. The Break with Rome had ended papal authority, and the dissolution of the
monasteries had transformed its structure and wealth. While some Catholic practices
remained, reforms such as the enforcement of the English Bible and Royal
Supremacy marked a clear shift towards a more nationalised Church. Although
elements of continuity persisted, the changes in authority, structure, and religious
practice show that the Church in 1547 was notably different from that of the late
1520s.
It is undoubtedly accurate that there was change in the Church by 1547 as it had
undergone profound changes when compared to the late 1520s, particularly in its
political and theological direction. The Act of Supremacy of 1534, which declared
Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church in England, was a decisive break
from the authority of the Pope and fundamentally altered the governance of the
Church. While it did not immediately affect all aspects of religious practice, it marked
the beginning of a series of transformations that would significantly diverge from the
Catholicism of the 1520s. The dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and
1541 not only stripped the Church of vast amounts of wealth and land but also
undermined the social and charitable functions that the monastic institutions had
long provided. Moreover, the gradual introduction of Protestant ideas during Henry's
reign, such as the publication of the English Bible in 1538, represented a theological
shift that was in stark contrast to the Catholic Church’s traditional reliance on Latin
Scripture and the authority of the clergy in interpreting the Bible. This move towards
a more accessible form of scripture set the stage for further Protestant reforms.By
1547, much of the Church's structure and practices in England still resembled those
of the late 1520s, despite significant political and theological shifts. The Latin Mass
remained the dominant form of worship, with no substantial changes in the liturgical
practices that had characterised Catholicism in the early 16th century. Core Catholic
doctrines, such as the belief in transubstantiation (the notion that the bread and wine
in the Eucharist become the actual body and blood of Christ), and the veneration of
saints, were still upheld by the clergy and the majority of the population. The Six
Articles of 1539, introduced by Henry VIII, reaffirmed many Catholic traditions,
including clerical celibacy, the necessity of confession, and the importance of the
Eucharist, which remained central to religious practice. These Articles were a clear
indication that, despite the royal break with Rome, Henry still sought to preserve key
Catholic practices. Additionally, although the dissolution of the monasteries (1536-
1541) had removed much of the Church's wealth and land, the monasteries'
influence over local communities had not entirely disappeared. The monastic land,
much of which was sold to the nobility, continued to play a role in local social and
economic structures. In terms of governance, the hierarchical structure of the
Church, with bishops and priests at its centre, remained largely intact. The
