The Monarchy and the Church

Writers during the English Renaissance often found their fates married to the shifting winds of political influence. As kings and queens rose to power and as varying forms of Christianity became the law of the land, writers found themselves either celebrated for their work or censured for it. Some writers, including Sir Thomas Moreand Sir Walter Raleigh, were even put to death for falling out of favor with the ruler of the day. As you will see, the kings and queens who ruled during this period held widely differing views on just about everything of importance, but especially religion.

The Protestant ReformationDuring the reign of Henry VIII,dissatisfaction with the Roman Catholic Church was spreading in Europe. The great wealth and power of the church had led to corruption at many levels, from cardinals living in luxury to friars traveling the countryside selling “indulgences” to peasants in exchange for forgiveness of their sins.

In response, in 1517 a German monk named Martin Lutherwrote out 95 theses, or arguments, against such practices and nailed them to the door of a church. Though the pope condemned him as a heretic, Luther’s criticisms created a sensation, and printed copies were soon in circulation across Europe. Luther wanted the church to reform itself, but other protesters went farther, splitting off from Rome into reformed, Protestantchurches.

The Church of EnglandHenry VIII had at first remained loyal to Rome, yet he became obsessed with producing a male heir and so sought an annulment from his wife (who had given him only a daughter, Mary). When the pope refused, Henry broke with Rome and in 1534 declared himself head of the Church of England.He then divorced Catherine and married her court attendant, Anne Boleyn.In all, Henry went through six wives, but only one produced a son—the frail and sickly Edward VI,who succeeded at the age of 9 but died when he was just 15.

During Edward’s reign, a group of radical Protestants believed the church further reform and sought to “purify” it of all Roman practices. This group became known as Puritans.In coming years, Puritans would increasingly clash with the monarchy.

Following Edward, Catherine’s daughter, Mary, took the throne. To avenge her mother, she brought back Roman Catholicism and persecuted Protestants, which earned her the nickname Bloody Mary.On her death in 1558, most citizens welcomed the succession of her half-sister, Elizabeth.

In religion, she steered a middle course, reestablishing the Church of England and using it as a buffer between Catholics and Puritans. Catholics, however, considered her cousin Mary Stuart,the queen of Scotland, to be the rightful heir to the English throne. After enduring years of conspiracies, Elizabeth ordered Mary beheaded in 1587. In response, Catholic Spain’s Philip II sent a great Armada, or fleet of warships, to challenge the English navy. Aided by a violent storm, the smaller, more maneuverable English ships defeated the Spanish Armada, making Elizabeth the undisputed leader of a great military power.

The Rise of the StuartsWith Elizabeth’s death in 1603, the powerful Tudor dynasty came to an end. Elizabeth was succeeded by her cousin James VI of Scotland (son of Mary Stuart), who ruled as James Iof England. James supported the Church of England, thus angering both Roman Catholic and Protestant extremists. Early in his reign, a Catholic group including Guy Fawkes plotted to kill him and blow up Parliament in the unsuccessful Gunpowder Plotof 1605. James and his son Charles both aroused opposition in the Puritan-dominated House of Commons with their extravagance, contempt for Parliament, and preference for Catholic-style “High-Church” rituals in the Anglican Church. Clashes with the Puritans only worsened when Charles Itook the throne in 1625.

In 1629, Charles I dismissed Parliament,and he did not summon it again for 11 years. During this time, he took strong measures against his opponents. Thousands of English citizens—especially Puritans—emigrated to North America to escape persecution. Then, in 1637, Charles’s attempt to introduce Anglican practices in Scotland’s Presbyterian churches led to rebellion there. In need of funds to suppress the Scots, Charles, in 1640, was forced to reconvene Parliament, which promptly stripped many of his powers. He responded with a show of military force, and England was soon plunged into civil war.

The Defeat of the MonarchyThe English Civil War pitted the Royalists (mainly Catholics, Anglicans, and the nobility) against supporters of Parliament (Puritans, smaller landowners, and the middle class). Under the leadership of General Oliver Cromwell,the devout, disciplined Puritan army soundly defeated the Royalists in 1645, and the king surrendered a year later.

At first, Parliament established a commonwealthwith Cromwell as head; later, they made him “lord protector” for life. The Puritan-dominated government proved no less autocratic than the Stuart reign, however. England’s theaters were closed, most forms of recreation were suspended, and Sunday became a day of prayer, when even walking for pleasure was forbidden.

When Cromwell died in 1658, his son inherited his title but not his ability to handle the wrangling among political factions and an increasingly unruly public. In 1660, a new Parliament invited Charles II,son of Charles I, to return from exile and assume the throne. His reign ushered in a new chapter in English history, the Restoration.

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 961