King Henry and his role in the English Reformation1
"Cold-blooded, deliberate cruelty mark not only his advancing years but his whole reign," wrote Sir Charles Oman. This quote exemplifies the thoughts and opinions held by many towards King Henry VIII and the way in which he reigned from 1509 to 1547 . However many thought otherwise. His Lord Chancellor proclaimed that, "Henry was a most gentle gentleman, his nature so benign and pleasant that I think till this day no man hath heard many angry words pass his mouth." Henry indeed has shown to be somewhat cold-blooded and ruthless, but these actions are shown to be of good intention. As written by a common of that time, "If in any point he seemed more severe than just towards his high subjects, let us unfeignedly hold him excused, yielding him thanks even in his sepulchre, for by it we possess public tranquillity to this day." Because the whole reformation was peeking, with such strong leaders as John Calvin, Martin Luther, Erazmus and Zwingli, Henry who had portrayed such a good strong belief in the Catholic Religion had developed a certain mentality. It was a mentality of protection and devotion towards the Christian faith. So despite Henry's unmoral acts, which defied many sections of the cannon law, he defe
(if remedy were not provided) might perchance have ensured." Following articles have been devised after long and mature deliberation and are issued in order to eschew not only the dangers of souls, but also are not to be contemned and cast away, but to be used and continued as things good and laudable." Another article of these Ten Articles passed in 1536 that pertains to the rejection of any reformist's ideas i.e. Martin Luther, is article 3. This article explains the importance of the sacrament of penance. This sacrament was challenged by Luther and done away with in his religion. Henry felt it was very important for salvation The article states that, "By penance and... good works of charity... we shall not only obtain everlasting life, but also we shall deserve remission or mitigation of these present pains and afflictions in this world." Martin Luther taught as well as believed that some sort of penance or charity was necessary but the whole act of confession was not. Henry stood by his Catholic faith and constituted this law that, "The order necessarily to be followed is then set out: Contrition, Auricular confession and absolution, and thirdly the penance itself." Another Sacrament of the Catholic Church that Luther was trying to do away with was that of Eucharist. Henry disagreed with Luther's notion and rebutted with this article, article 4 stating, Selfsame body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ." nded and strengthened the Christian belief in which the other reformists were trying to weaken. By the 1540's, England as well as the rest of Europe had begun to adopt many other religious teachings from men such as Martin Luther, John Calvin and others. These newly formed Christian religions spread throughout Europe taking in many followers that were outside of the place of origin . Many of these followers proved to be of English or British decent. King Henry however, rejected all teachings that had as its primary motive to change the Christian Religion. Henry throughout the later part of his reign wrote and had others write from him many articles and laws that were to be passed in order to keep the Christian Religion strong and unified throughout his governed country. Strong and unified in the sense that all interruptions outsid
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1544
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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