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
"Any who by word, writing or printing, declare anything contrary to the first article, or who despise the said blessed sacraments shall, together with their supporters, be guilty of heresy and burned. It acts as a conformation or closer, to abolish any other kind of religion and keep the Protestant one strong. Henry felt it was very important for salvation The article states that, "By penance and. "The King stresses his duty to ensure unity and concord in opinion. Unfortunately diversity in opinions has lately grown, therefore the 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 the outward unquietness which by occasion of the said diversity in opinions(if remedy were not provided) might perchance have ensured. It kept the people away from the other newly formed religions of which many were falling into. This explains why he separated from the Pope and the Catholic Church but still remained a firm believer in Christianity and the Bible's teachings. " Henry saw this as being good because it was taking the whole concept of money out of worshiping God. Unfortunately diversity in opinions has lately grown, therefore the 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 the outward unquietness which by occasion of the said diversity in opinions(if remedy were not provided) might perchance have ensured. 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. 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.
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