The Church in England's Need for Considerable Reform in 1529

The Church in England's Need for Considerable Reform in 1529

Many historians argue, that it is not true to say, that before the

Reformation England was a land shrouded in the mists of ignorance;

that there were no schools or colleges for imparting secular education

till the days of Edward VI.; that there was no real religion among the

masses, apart from practices such as pilgrimages, indulgences, and

invocation of the saints; that the people were up in arms against the

exactions and privileges of the clergy, and that all parties only

awaited the advent of a strong leader to throw off the yoke of Rome.

But there were a number of problems, which need to be considered.

Many historians have argued that the people of the early 16th century

agreed with Henry in his decision, to break with Rome because the

church in England was a deeply unpopular institution. Anti-clericalism

according to this line of argument was widespread. As G. R. Elton puts

it, "People in England thought little of Priests".

The clergy were widely despised. Archbishops and Bishops were disliked

for their wealth and ostentation, with Wolsey being an obvious

example. He always had fine clothes, expensive jewellery and had

several homes, which was a sharp contrast to the example set be Jesus

in the Bible. Moreover they were seen as being guilty of pluralism and

therefore non- residence as they were constantly moving between their

dioceses.

Another grievance towards the Bishops was that many of them ignored

their vow of chastity by having mistresses and illegitimate children.

The lower clergy and parish priests hadn't got a better reputation.

They were viewed as ...

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...ng many

others in Germany and abroad. People realized that Luther clarified

the hidden facets of their faith by questioning the authority of the

Pope. The Catholic Church suppressed certain facts. A public

discussion of these facts would undermine the authority of the church,

which promised a change in church, and other areas.

Though some historians, like C. Haigh have argued that,

"…The English people had not turned against their church and there was

no widespread yearning for reform. The long-term causes of the

Reformation- the corruption of the church and the hostility of the

laity- appear to have been historical illusion."

I have come to the conclusion, that the Church in England in 1529

needed considerable reforms, because many abuses, undoubtedly, had

occurred in various departments of religious life.