The Duke of Northumberland, who now controlled Edward’s Council of Regents, followed many of the same policies as his predecessor, the Duke of Somerset, in carrying out a program of aggressive religious reform.
Edward VI and the English Reformation
Edward’s day-to-day participation in the governing of England was limited. However, Edward’s intense adherence to Protestant theology made an agenda of religious reform obligatory. Additionally, Edward’s succession had been arranged by the reform faction, who remained in power for much of Edward’s reign. During the reign of Edward VI, Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, introduced a series of reforms that transformed the Church of England from a Church that had rejected Papal supremacy, but was still fundamentally Catholic into one that was fundamentally Protestant. The process of confiscating Church land, which had begun during the reign of Henry VIII, was continued by Edward VI. The dissolution of the charities was as much a political act as it was religious. By the end of the reign of Edward VI, the Catholic Church in England had been financially ruined, as much of the property that had been owned by the Church had been transferred to the nobility.
The Religious Beliefs of Edward VI
Historians have found it difficult to pin down the religious convictions of the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland. As a result, historians are divided as to the depth of the Dukes’ sincerity of religious belief. However, there is little doubt of the devotion of Edward, which some historians claim bordered on bigotry. Some primary sources claim that Edward read up to 12 chapters of the Gospel each day and that he enjoyed listening to religious sermons. John Foxe described Edward as a "Godly imp." Both during his life and after his death, Edward was regarded as a new Josiah, the biblical king who cast down the idols of the pagan god Baal. Historians caution against accepting the pious image promoted by Edward’s court. During the early part of his life, Edward conformed to traditional Catholic doctrine for the most part. Thanks to the influence of Thomas Cranmer, Edward gradually became convinced that "true" religion needed to be imposed in England.
Infleuences of the English Reformation
The Protestant Reformation moved forward under the pressures of two distinct groups, the traditionalists and the zealots. The zealots were known for their iconoclasm and often protested against the veneration of images. They were involved in a number of violent incidences of idol smashing and complained that the Reformation did not go far enough. In the meantime, reformed religious doctrine became official policy with the Ordinal of 1550, which replaced the ordination of Anglican priests with a state run appointment system. Ministers were authorized to preach the gospel and administer the Sacraments. At the same time, Cranmer set about writing a uniform liturgy for the Church of England, which made concessions between the conservatives and the reformers. Finished in 1549, Cranmer’s liturgy, known as the Book of Common Prayer, was intended to be a compromise between the reformers and the conservatives. Instead, Cranmer was attacked by the traditionalists for dispensing with many cherished rituals, while reformers complained of the retention of so-called "popish" elements, such as the belief in the sacrificial memorial rite during communion. The Book of Common Prayer was also denounced by high ranking Catholics such as the Bishop of Winchester and the Bishop of London, who were both imprisoned in the Tower of London.
The Later Reign of Edward VI
The English Reformation continued with Edward’s encouragement as he began to exert more influence as the Head of the Church of England. The changes introduced by Edward and Cranmer are seen by historians as a response to the criticisms of reformers such as John Hooper, the Bishop of Gloucester, and the Scottish minister John Knox, who was then employed by the Duke of Northumberland as a minister in Newcastle. Cranmer was also influenced by the teachings of the influential Protestant minister Martin Bucer, along with Peter Martyr, who taught at Oxford. The English Reformation was also aided by the appointment of large numbers of reformers as bishops. In the winter of 1551 and 1552, Cranmer rewrote the Book of Common Prayer using less ambiguous language. He also revised canon law and issued the Forty-Two Articles, which were intended to clarify lingering questions, particularly about the communion service. In the process, Cranmer divested the communion of any real notion of the presence of God in the Eucharist. In doing so, Cranmer’s actions were tantamount to the abolition of the Mass. The prayer book of 1552 remains the doctrinal foundation of the Church of England. However, Cranmer was unable to implement all of the planned reforms because by the spring of 1553, it became clear that Edward was dying.
Sources
Ashley, Mike. British Kings and Queens. Robinson:London.1998
Terry Long - I hold degrees in history and journalism. In addition to my contributions to Suite 101, I have also written for the Brampton Bulletin, the ...
Join the Conversation