Explain the religious reforms made by Mary I Essay Example

measures that sought to improve the quality of the church itself. This was known as the top down approach.

Firstly, Pole realised that strong leadership of the Church was vital. He therefore encouraged the bishops to make regular visitations to the dioceses to check on finances and discipline of the clergy. Secondly, The London Synod of 1555 drew up the Twelve Decrees, which spelt out the necessity of all parish priests being resident and sought to put an end to other abuses, such as priests having more than one parish and nepotism, where parishes were given to priests according to who they knew rather than the basis of merit. Thirdly, Pole commissioned some new publications to help the clergy: a newly edited Catholic New Testament, a new Book of Homilies and a new catechism. However, these never had much chance to be implemented.

Finally, Pole believed in the need for clerical education. When Bishops went on visitations, he wanted them to report on learning among schoolmasters and the clergy themselves. He wanted seminaries to be established in the cathedrals. Cathedral schools were to be founded or reformed at Durham, Lincoln, Wells and York. He helped found two new colleges, Trinity at Cambridge and St John’s at Oxford.

Furthermore, Mary had a policy of censorship. Early proclamations forbade the printing of seditious rumours in July 1553 or any material which concerned doctrine in August 1553. There was an index of proscribed writers and the possession of such material would result in the death penalty. Acts of Parliament made slander of Philip and Mary a treasonable offence and commissions were established to seek out such material. Additionally, Mary

persecuted some Protestants as reported by the Christian classic, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.

This is where her reputation as ‘Bloody Mary’ came from. Trials and executions began some being important members of the clergy including Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, bishops Latimer, Ridley and Hooper but most were humble folk. Executions began in February 1555 and there were 300 in total lasting until November 1558 and concentrated in the sees of London and Norwich. Much of England saw no burnings at all.To conclude, three key features of the change back to Catholicism explain the success of the Marian Restoration: she acted without undue speed; she acted with the freely given consent of Parliament and the regime was not unduly vengeful in the first few years towards its Protestant enemies.

Christopher Haigh believed, “The Marian reconstruction of Catholicism was a success,” citing evidence from the parishes of proof of continuing support for traditional services and celebrations. That and the fact that the number of priests entering holy orders being the highest it had been in 30 years clearly showed that Mary had succeeded in restoring Roman Catholicism. Haigh said her only mistake was that she died.