Most significant individual in the Henrician Reformation

Henry VIII
1. Was a Catholic
  1. Defender of the faith
    1. He was a natural conservative
      1. Disliked heretical ideas - for example Tyndale
      2. 1539 Six Articles and 1543 King's Book
        Far more conservative than Cromwell's reforms
        Showed that he was moving in a more conservative direction in his later years
2. Reluctant to start the Royal Supremacy
  1. However without his approval it would not have started
    1. Without him there would have been no reformation
      1. However, some Historians argue there was still no reformation with him
  2. Approved the dissolution of the Monasteries
    1. Financial motive?
      1. He refounded two houses to pray for his soul
Thomas Cromwell
1. Highly skilled political operative
  1. Survived the fall of Wolsey and Anne Boleyn
  2. He rose to power because he could solve the King's problems
    1. He established the Royal Supremacy through the passage of legislation
      1. For example ... 1534 Act of Supremacy
      2. Oversaw a 'revolution' in Tudor government
2. Notable figure in suppressing opposition
3. Key role in the dissolution of the monasteries
  1. Promised to make Henry the richest Prince in Christendom
    1. Valor Ecclesiasticus
4. Key religious role
  1. Vicegerent in religious affairs
    1. Ten Articles 1536
    2. Publication of an English Bible
    3. Injunctions of 1536 and 1538
    4. 1537 Bishops' Book
Anne Boleyn
1. A skilled political operator
  1. Refused to be just another notch on the King's bedpost
  2. Personal interest in the success of the Supremacy
    1. Supported the reformers cause
      1. Key patron to figures such as Cranmer, Latimer and Shaxton
        The 10 Bishops appointed while she was Queen were all reformers
        This means she has a long-term impact
    2. Executed in 1536 when found guilty of adultery
  3. As a result Henry came into contact with reformers
    1. Introduced Henry to the ideas of Tyndale and Fish
      1. Credited with persuading Henry to accept the English Bible
Thomas Cranmer
1. Supportive of Henry's desire for a divorce
  1. 1529 Collectanea satis Copiosa
2. Close relationship with Henry
  1. Henry trusted him ore than other advisers
    1. Retained his support through the 1540s
      1. Important in persuading Henry to continue the Reformation after the fall of Anne Boleyn
  2. Some Historians have viewed him as a 'yes' man
3. Was clearly a Protestant but kept his personal beliefs close
  1. Supported Cromwell's religious changes
    1. Resisted Henry's attempts to change the Bishops' Book

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Most significant individual in the Henrician Reformation

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	Created by Dan Bacon almost 8 years ago