Henry VIII and Edward VI Religious Changes: Resistance (1534-1550)

Introduction:
The reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI witnessed a period of immense religious upheaval in England. Henry VIII's break from Rome, enshrined in the 1534 Act of Supremacy, saw him replace the Pope as head of the Church. This was followed by the dissolution of the monasteries and the seizure of their wealth. His son, Edward VI, continued on this trajectory, introducing the Protestant Book of Common Prayer in 1549. These changes faced resistance from various segments of society, ranging from quiet acts of defiance to open rebellion.

Passive Resistance:

Church Attendance and Practices:
Many ordinary people expressed their discontent through passive resistance. Evidence suggests a decline in church attendance (absenteeism) during this period. This can be interpreted as a quiet rejection of the enforced changes to worship. Furthermore, some priests found themselves pressured to say the new services to half-empty churches. In some areas, people clung to traditional practices, using old prayer books in private and continuing to seek the solace of familiar rituals. This demonstrated a deep-rooted attachment to the old faith and a reluctance to abandon cherished customs.

Active Resistance and Rebellion:

The Pilgrimage of Grace (1536):
While the Pilgrimage of Grace was sparked by opposition to Henry VIII's overall policies, religious grievances played a significant role. The rebels, primarily from northern England, demanded a return to traditional religious practices and the restoration of some monasteries. The scale of the uprising, involving thousands of people, demonstrated the strength of feeling against the king's religious changes. Though ultimately unsuccessful, it served as a stark warning to Henry about the potential for popular unrest over religious matters.

The Prayer Book Rebellion (1549):
The introduction of the Book of Common Prayer under Edward VI ignited further rebellion, most notably in the Western Rebellion of 1549. In Devon and Cornwall, people rose up in arms, demanding the return of the Latin Mass, the restoration of images in churches, and the reinstatement of other traditional practices. The rebels saw the new prayer book as a radical departure from true religion. The government's response was swift and brutal, crushing the rebellion and executing its leaders. This demonstrated the willingness of the crown to use force to impose its religious vision.

Other Forms of Resistance:

Religious Literature and Beliefs:
Despite the risks, Catholic texts continued to circulate, and traditional beliefs persisted, particularly in more remote areas. Individuals like Cardinal Reginald Pole, a staunch critic of Henry VIII, remained active in exile, writing treatises that challenged the king's religious authority. Such figures provided intellectual and spiritual leadership to those who opposed the changes.

Conclusion:

Summarize the main forms of resistance:
The resistance to the religious changes under Henry VIII and Edward VI was multifaceted. It ranged from passive acts like absenteeism and clinging to old practices to active rebellions like the Pilgrimage of Grace and the Prayer Book Rebellion. The motivations were rooted in deeply held religious beliefs, attachment to tradition, and a sense of anxiety over the rapid pace of change. This resistance underscored the challenges inherent in imposing religious change from above and foreshadowed the religious conflicts that would continue to plague England in the decades to come.