‘The persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2021
Topic
Religious Conflict and the Church in England
👑Complete Model Essay
‘The persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I.’ Assess the validity of this view.
The Persecution of Protestants: Was it the Most Important Reason for Opposition to Mary I?
The reign of Mary I (1553-1558) was a turbulent period in English history, marked by religious upheaval and political unrest. While Mary's efforts to restore Catholicism after the brief Protestant interlude under Edward VI inevitably sparked dissent, the degree to which the persecution of Protestants fuelled this opposition is a matter of historical debate. This essay will assess the validity of the view that the persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I.
The Case for Persecution as the Primary Source of Opposition
There is compelling evidence to suggest that the persecution of Protestants played a significant role in undermining Mary's regime. The executions of prominent Protestant leaders like Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, and Nicholas Ridley, burned at the stake for heresy, sent shockwaves through English society. These men were not obscure figures but respected clergymen, and their deaths generated outrage not only amongst ardent Protestants but also amongst moderates within the political elite. The public nature of these executions, designed to serve as a deterrent, arguably had the opposite effect, igniting sympathy for the condemned and fostering resentment towards the Crown.
Furthermore, the persecution was not confined to the upper echelons of Protestant society. Hundreds of ordinary men and women were also subjected to imprisonment, torture, and execution for their beliefs. While some local communities did participate in the persecution, often motivated by pre-existing religious tensions, there is also evidence to suggest that many viewed the executions with unease and pity. The spectacle of their neighbours suffering for their faith likely sowed seeds of doubt and dissent among the populace.
The Marian persecution also had international repercussions. The flight of hundreds of Protestants to mainland Europe created a diaspora of exiles who actively criticized Mary's regime and provided ideological support for the Protestant cause in England. Even more significantly, important figures like Simon Renard, the ambassador of Charles V, expressed disapproval of the persecution. Renard recognized the political damage inflicted by the burnings and advocated for a more lenient approach, suggesting that the severity of the persecution was not inevitable and stemmed more from the zeal of the English Catholic clergy than strategic political considerations.
Challenges to the Primacy of Persecution
However, reducing the opposition to Mary solely to the issue of Protestant persecution risks oversimplifying a complex historical reality. It is crucial to note that significant opposition to Mary predated the full-fledged persecution of Protestants. Wyatt's Rebellion in 1554, launched in protest against Mary's marriage to Philip of Spain, demonstrates that anxieties over the Spanish match and the fear of England becoming subservient to a foreign power were potent drivers of discontent. The rebellion, though ultimately crushed, revealed deep-seated anxieties about Mary's policies that were not primarily driven by religious concerns.
Moreover, while some communities resisted the persecution, others participated in it. There is evidence of individuals informing on their neighbours and endorsing the burning of Protestants. This highlights the pre-existing religious divisions within English society, with some communities already inclined towards Catholicism and supportive of Mary's efforts to purge the realm of heresy.
It is also pertinent that while the early years of Mary’s reign were characterized by intense religious persecution, the violence abated somewhat in the later period. Interestingly, this period coincides with a decline in overt opposition to Mary. This suggests that while the persecution undoubtedly fuelled dissent, other factors might have played a more significant role in the long run. The loss of Calais in 1558, a devastating blow to English pride and a propaganda victory for Mary’s opponents, had a far more significant impact on her popularity than the waning persecution.
Finally, it is important to acknowledge that Mary's religious policies were not universally unpopular. Many welcomed the return to Catholicism, associating it with stability and tradition after the tumultuous changes of the previous two reigns. The widespread destruction of religious images and the closure of monasteries under Henry VIII and Edward VI had alienated some, and Mary’s efforts to restore the old faith resonated with a segment of the population.
Conclusion: A Nuanced Perspective
In conclusion, while the persecution of Protestants undeniably contributed to opposition against Mary I, portraying it as the sole or even the most important factor presents an incomplete picture. The burnings of Protestants, particularly prominent figures like Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley, undoubtedly fuelled discontent and provided powerful propaganda for Mary's opponents both within England and abroad. However, opposition to Mary was multi-faceted, stemming from a confluence of factors. Concerns about the Spanish marriage, fears of foreign influence, and anxieties over the potentially devastating consequences of a resurgent Catholicism all played a part. Furthermore, the support Mary received from those who welcomed the return to traditional faith and the ebb and flow of opposition throughout her reign suggest that the persecution, while significant, was not the only driving force behind the challenges she faced.
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
Essay Outline: The Persecution of Protestants and Opposition to Mary I
This essay will assess the validity of the statement: "The persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I." It will argue that while the persecution of Protestants undoubtedly contributed to opposition, it was not the most significant factor. The Spanish marriage and subsequent war with France, leading to the loss of Calais, played a more pivotal role in undermining Mary's popularity and fueling opposition to her reign.
Arguments Supporting the Importance of Protestant Persecution:
1. Execution of Prominent Figures:
The burning of Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley sparked significant criticism, both within England and from foreign powers. This highlighted the brutality of the regime and alienated many.
2. Local Opposition to Lay Protestant Executions:
The executions of ordinary Protestants generated sympathy and local opposition, undermining support for Mary's policies within communities.
3. Emigration and Foreign Criticism:
The persecution forced many Protestants to flee to the continent, where they became vocal critics of Mary's regime, further damaging her reputation abroad.
Arguments Challenging the Importance of Protestant Persecution:
1. Wyatt's Rebellion Precedes Persecution:
The most significant challenge to Mary's reign came from Wyatt's rebellion, which occurred before the major persecutions. This suggests other factors, such as fears of Spanish influence, were more prominent.
2. Evidence of Local Support for Persecution:
There is evidence that some locals were willing to hand over their neighbours for persecution, suggesting support for Mary's policy in certain areas.
3. Decline in Opposition After 1557:
While the executions peaked in 1557, opposition to Mary declined, possibly due to a loss of leadership, but also because of a decline in overt persecution.
4. Popularity of Catholic Restoration:
Mary's policies to restore Catholicism were widely supported by many, suggesting religious opposition was not the sole driver of discontent.
Conclusion:
The persecution of Protestants undoubtedly contributed to opposition to Mary I. However, it was not the most significant factor. The Spanish marriage, the war with France, and the loss of Calais played a more crucial role in undermining Mary's popularity and fueling opposition to her reign. These factors, combined with the inherent challenges of a female monarch in a patriarchal society, ultimately led to her unpopularity and contributed to the perception of her reign as a failure.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments supporting the view that the persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I
Arguments supporting the view that the persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I might include:
⭐The persecution of Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley was important in creating opposition to Mary I. The opposition primarily came from opponents of the regime but also generated criticism from within the political nation.
⭐The burning of lower-class Protestants was viewed with dismay by local crowds where the execution took place. Whilst this was based on sympathy for the victims, it also undermined support for the regime.
⭐Hundreds of Protestants left England for the continent where they became serious critics of the regime.
⭐The persecution was not viewed positively by foreign powers. Simon Renard, Ambassador to Charles V, indicated his opposition to the policy. He advocated a change of tactic and blamed the Bishops for the persecution.
Arguments challenging the view that the persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I
Arguments challenging the view that the persecution of Protestants was the most important reason for opposition to Mary I might include:
⭐The most significant challenge to the Marian regime came from Wyatt’s rebellion, which occurred before the persecutions took place.
⭐There is evidence that local people were willing to hand over their neighbours and were supportive of the Marian policy.
⭐The executions occurred mainly in 1557 and the opposition to Mary declined, partly due to the loss of leadership within the country, but also due to the decline in overt persecution.
⭐The policies pursued by the Marian Regime in returning the Church to Rome and to traditional Catholic practices received wide-spread support.
⭐Mary’s unpopularity increased in the last years of her reign due to the Spanish war and the loss of Calais.
The persecution of Protestants undoubtedly caused opposition to Mary; the burning of important individuals such as Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley drew considerable criticism from within England and from foreign powers. Within the localities affected, the treatment of lay Protestants was also opposed by many. However, the persecution of Protestants was supported by many. The most significant opposition to Mary came from those who objected to the Spanish marriage and participation in the war against France which resulted in the loss of Calais.