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THOMAS WOLSEY & THE CHURCH - Coggle Diagram
THOMAS WOLSEY & THE CHURCH
ROLE OF THE CHURCH
Aware of the shortcomings of the clergy, personified by Wolsey with his pomp and ceremony, multiple Bishoprics and palaces, two illegitimate children and open living with mistress until 1519.
With advent of printing, more people aware of criticisms of taxes going to Rome to the Pope.
Definite strand of anti-clericalism, which Wolsey did nothing to reduce.
Most people fully accepted Christian beliefs, there was substantial enthusiasm for religious devotion.
CHURCH REFORM
Interested in promoting religious learning to improve the quality of the clergy. In 1528 he drew up more plans for closing monasteries with fewer than 6 inmates and forcibly amalgamating those with under 12, so that he could use the money to promote education.
Saw nothing wrong in streamlining monasteries to make them more efficient and to benefit religious learning. Responsible for the removal of 8 unsuitable heads of monasteries from office.
As Papal Legate, Wolsey was able to instruct English bishops to carry out their duties more scrupulously and to order inspections of the quality of religious life in monasteries etc - over two dozen religious houses were dissolved.
Made some attempts for religious reforms, but didn't see reforms as a major aspect of his work.
Planned to fund a school in Ipswich and establish a Cardinal College in Oxford - never happened, had fallen from power.
Strongly opposed to the spread of Protestantism - encouraged Henry to take a stand against the new ideas of Martin Luther, led to public burnings of Lutheran texts, which started outside St Paul's in London in May 1521 when Wolsey was personally present, holding the unfinished manuscript of Henry VIII's book against Luther.
Aided Henry in writing his book against Luther - the Assertio Septum Sacromentorum.
Many suspected of Protestant sympathies were arrested and punished, but no one was executed during Wolsey. Lutheran supporters mostly seen as well-meaning people who'd been wrongly influenced, and needed to be reformed.
INFLUENCE OF EARLY REFORMERS
Other strands of dissent from Catholic beliefs stemmed from events in Germany after Martin Luther's arguments that contradicted key aspects of Catholicism in 1517 - his 95 Theses. Luther found that many in Germany were prepared to support him, partly for religious reasons and partly as Lutheranism could be used against the Catholic Emperor, Charles V.
Luther's arguments were reaching England by the 1520s, especially through merchants and traders. Ports in the south and east of England were exposed to Protestant literature because of trade.
In the 14th century, John Wycliffe believed scripture was more important than the Pope and that there was too much emphasis on venerating the saints, and the Lollards and his descendants agreed with these views.
A group of Lutheran supporters met in Cambridge at a pub where they discussed Luther's theology.
When the Reformation began, there were already people in England who'd be sympathetic to Church reform.
Helped when William Tyndale started to publish parts of the Bible in English, which gained more importance after Henry's attempt to gain a divorce.
CORRUPTION OF WOLSEY
Pope Leo X made Wolsey a Cardinal in 1515 as a result of pressure from him and Henry. Appointed Papal Legate in 1518 (pressure), so could instruct English bishops to carry out their duties more scrupulously.
Couldn't fulfil religious duties in any of these posts - permanently absent, deputy. Attracted criticism for twin vices of absenteeism and plurality.
In 1525 he was granted the title of Legatus a latere - could act on behalf of the Pope.
Had collected a range of religious titles during his rise to power, continued in the 1520s. Bishop of Durham in 1523, Bishop of Winchester in 1529, both important and attracted good income. Appointed abbot of St Albans, one of the wealthiest monasteries.
Began a liaison with a woman known as Mistress Lark, despite being a high-ranking member of the Church.