1. Pre-Reformation Period
“Discrepancy of Duties Between the Papacy (the church) and the Monarchy”
Throughout the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th centuries there remained many questions in relation to the power over political and religious authority between the governmental monarchy (including Parliament) and the Papacy with the Pope. There were three key issues that led to the questioning of the churches power and, inevitably, the English Reformation. The three issues revolved around the type of Papacy in rule, the use of papal authority during this time, and finally the addition of heresy to multiple societies and events that continually challenged the Roman Catholic Church.
The Papacy
The latter 15th and early 16th centuries brought a time of Papal Renaissance to the Roman Catholic Church. The popes of this time engulfed themselves in brilliant acts of art and splendor, which distracted them from other important political and religious matters of the time. This indifference to important governmental issues, in turn, led to the beginning of the Reformation.
Papal Authority
The struggle for power between the Pope and kings dates back to periods around the 11th century. During the 15th century, Popes became more powerful and had more authority than the Papacy had previously ever controlled. This degree of authority put the Popes in a defensive state towards their power, not only keep their power away from the king, but also limiting councils unless they could be totally controlled, fearing the possibility of a council taking over power of the Papacy.
The Papacy also began to take authority over practical political matters. The continued reassertion of power over its own regions, the Papal States, created even more of an authoritative state for the Pope. The use, and common abuse, of financial and military resources by the Renaissance Popes had never been used in past centuries. With the distraction of controlling authority and applications in practical policy, it is easy to see why the average society member questioned the preoccupations of the Church and the collective neglect of religious matters during this time.
Heresy
It is also important to note the amount of heresy in European societies that led to an ever-growing questioning of the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the heretic groups included the Hussites, the Spiritual Franciscans, the Lollards of England, the Cathars in Languedoc, and the Waldensians. These groups’ platforms were eventually taken under either Protestant or Catholic ideals in later years. But the ever-present danger and disregard to hinder ones’ own beliefs created a threatening environment to the already questionable authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Creation of the Church of England (Anglican Church)
“Political Acts That Effect Religious Institutions”
Creation of the Church Under Henry VIII
The brilliant-minded Henry VIII succeeded his father and took control of the throne as the King of England in 1509. While brilliant, the financial surplus of England and his varied personal interests led to an insufficient involvement in governmental activities during the first part of Henry’s rule. This led way for Thomas Wolsey, Henry’s minister, to exercise his powers to his own accord. Henry sought Papacy approval when he decided to marry his brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, which would have been considered incest during this time. The Pope approved, but Henry found himself very unsatisfied because Catherine had not been able to produce a son and heir for Henry to the throne of England. Also, Henry had recently fallen in love with Anne Boleyn and Henry sent Wolsey to ask and debate the Pope for an annulment in marriage, but the Pope, who had recently been captured by Catherine’s nephew and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, found no problem in the marriage and disregarded the annulment. Wolsey’s failure inevitably led to his dismissal and Henry replaced him with Thomas Cromwell.
Thomas Cromwell, with the addition of Thomas Cranmer, worked together to illicit radical views that the King was the spiritual head of the English Church, and if he wanted annulment, then he had the ability to grant his own. The two then turned to Parliament to exercise its powers and attitude against the Pope to relinquish Papal power and begin the English Reformation. Thomas Cranmer was then appointed Archbishop of Canterbury (which was superior to the Archbishop of York, England's other major diocese), and, in turn, granted Henry VIII an annulment from marriage. Parliament then followed suit by passing many anti-authority papal acts that disregarded excommunication and acts implemented, on Henry, by the Church. Parliament’s final act on the matter was passing the Supremacy Act in 1534 that made the King the Supreme Head of the Church of England. From then on marked the separation of the Church of England, or Anglican Church, from the Roman Catholic Church.
The Church of England Under Edward VI
Edward VI succeeded his father in 1547, at the age of nine. But even at this young age, Edward passionately sympathized with the Protestant efforts and set about with the help of Thomas Cranmer in turning the Church of England into a total Protestant church. Through his efforts, Edward created The Book of Common Prayer, which holds the traditional views of the Anglican Church. It is common thought to believe that if Edward had not died at such a young age, then England would have become a Calvinist country.
The Church of England Under Mary I
Mary I, Henry VIII and Catherine’s first child, succeeded Edward VI who died just six years into his reign. Mary had grown up in France as a practicing Catholic and, after taking the throne, set about turning England back into a Catholic country and reconverting to Catholic practices. Many called her “Bloody Mary” as she went about reverting what her two predecessors set forth and executing many who disagreed with her. Experts believe that if Mary had lived longer, the country of England would have retained Catholicism for up to a century longer.
The Church Under Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I, the daughter of Anne Boleyn, assumed the throne after Mary’s death in 1558. It was Elizabeth who created a “happy-medium” for the Anglican Church by retaining many practices from the Catholic Church, while also incorporating many fundamental ideals of the Protestants. This ability, spirit of compromise, and her ability to govern people with compassionate authority are why many regard Elizabeth I as one of the greatest monarchs to ever live. This standing version of the Anglican Church, which closely resembles the Catholic Church but incorporates Protestant reforms, is primarily the Anglican Church that is recognized throughout history.
3. Reforms of the Roman Catholic Church
"A Catholic Church With Protestant Reforms"
English Service
The Litany was the first service to be given in English in 1544. This began a trend where other services followed and were given in English so that the majority of people could understand them in England. Before that time, services had been given in Latin, which many people in England could not understand.
Communion
Under Catholic religion, the practice of communion involved transubstantiation, or the idea that the bread and wine was actually turned into the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ during communion. Anglicans opposed the idea that Christ was sacrificed numerous times, during every communion. Instead, Anglicans believe that Christ is truly present in every communion and that they consume the spirit of Christ during this time, not his blood and flesh.
Catholic Images Removed
Images and shrines of Catholicism were destroyed in churches across England. This reform had to do with the new Ten Commandments, where images were removed from the first commandment because they were seen as not nearly as important. This act was a result of that reform and illustrated its belief.
Monasteries
Monasteries were taken control of and destroyed across the country of England. Just like catholic images, monasteries closely resembled strict Catholic practices and were seized by the government during the 1530s.
Bible in English
In 1539, the Anglicans produced the Great Bible, which was the first bible ever published in English. The government also implemented that there must be both a Latin and English translation of the Bible in every parish church.
Theological
The new theological idea regarding salvation was in faith alone. Many people feared that faith alone would conflict with peace and morality because it would deter many people from performing good works in return for their salvation. But this became the accepted practice of the Anglican Church.
Book of Common Prayer
The 1662 English Book of Common Prayer was formed as the historical basis for Anglican liturgy around the world. The Book of Common Prayer was created as a reference to collective Anglican services that could be spread around the world that contained many of the Anglican reforms within its teachings and prayers.
