how serious was opposition to henry
How serious was opposition to Henry VIII’s religious changes?
To an extent, Opposition to the religious reforms by Henry VIII wasn’t overly serious, the opposition did have some potential to cause damage but the danger was never severe enough to undermine the Tudor dynasty or threaten the omnipotent once of the “Most Christian King”. Opposition was only as serious as the support it had, which is why The Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536 was the most dangerous form of opposition. Henry ensured that disapproval from his kingdom would never threaten to undermine the longevity of the Tudor dynasty by using Cromwell’s key weapon: The Treason Act of 1534. This allowed Henry to eradicate any opposition that had potential to threaten Henry. The religious changes came to a halt in 1540, where Henry sends out a strong deterrent message by executing the architect of the religious changes, Cromwell.
One form of opposition was serious because it undermined the royal supremacy and this type of opposition came largely from the clergy. This opposition had worrying potential to become serious because of the reputation of those who delivered it, for example More, who’s resistance was actually passive, did not actively deny the King’s title or offer any strong opposition to the regime, his trial was rigged and perjured evidence and the ruthlessness of his death meant that others refrained from open opposition to the King. In comparison, Fisher’s opposition was more vocal, he publicly condemned Henry getting an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, he was much more active in his opposition, delivering sermons and publishing books, an example of which being Sermon
To an extent, Opposition to the religious reforms by Henry VIII wasn’t overly serious, the opposition did have some potential to cause damage but the danger was never severe enough to undermine the Tudor dynasty or threaten the omnipotent once of the “Most Christian King”. Opposition was only as serious as the support it had, which is why The Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536 was the most dangerous form of opposition. Henry ensured that disapproval from his kingdom would never threaten to undermine the longevity of the Tudor dynasty by using Cromwell’s key weapon: The Treason Act of 1534. This allowed Henry to eradicate any opposition that had potential to threaten Henry. The religious changes came to a halt in 1540, where Henry sends out a strong deterrent message by executing the architect of the religious changes, Cromwell.
One form of opposition was serious because it undermined the royal supremacy and this type of opposition came largely from the clergy. This opposition had worrying potential to become serious because of the reputation of those who delivered it, for example More, who’s resistance was actually passive, did not actively deny the King’s title or offer any strong opposition to the regime, his trial was rigged and perjured evidence and the ruthlessness of his death meant that others refrained from open opposition to the King. In comparison, Fisher’s opposition was more vocal, he publicly condemned Henry getting an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, he was much more active in his opposition, delivering sermons and publishing books, an example of which being Sermon