The early Reformation in Ipswich, 1520-1560
This thesis is concerned with the pace of religious change in the town of Ipswich in the period 1520 to 1560, and with the process by which it came about. In 1520 the townsfolk were preoccupied with the late medieval devotional system and Lollardy was conspicuous by its absence. However, following the break with Rome and government injunctions in the 1530s, some traditional practices were rapidly dropped and evangelical ideas began to be spread through preaching. Edward VI's reign witnessed an explosion of reformist publishing in the town in 1547-8, but while some parishes moved quickly to implement official instructions on church ceremonial, others were slower. The reign of Mary I saw religious divisions widen, with a number of Catholics in 1556 informing upon a large group of suspected Protestants, although with little success. The burnings of heretics in Ipswich witnessed displays of sympathy for the victims from townsfolk. Following the accession of Elizabeth I, a town preacher was appointed in 1560 to disseminate the new religious ideas more widely. Government policy was obviously important in initiating religious change, but the extent to which policies were implemented in the town was dependent upon
Holder, R. J.
The early Reformation in Ipswich, 1520-1560. This thesis is concerned with the pace of religious change in the town of Ipswich in the period 1520 to 1560, and with the process by which it came about. In 1520 the townsfolk were preoccupied with the late medieval devotional system and Lollardy was conspicuous by its absence. However, following the break with Rome and government injunctions in the 1530s, some traditional practices were rapidly dropped and evangelical ideas began to be spread through preaching. Edward VI's reign witnessed an explosion of reformist publishing in the town in 1547-8, but while some parishes moved quickly to implement official instructions on church ceremonial, others were slower. The reign of Mary I saw religious divisions widen, with a number of Catholics in 1556 informing upon a large group of suspected Protestants, although with little success. The burnings of heretics in Ipswich witnessed displays of sympathy for the victims from townsfolk. Following the accession of Elizabeth I, a town preacher was appointed in 1560 to disseminate the new religious ideas more widely. Government policy was obviously important in initiating religious change, but the extent to which policies were implemented in the town was dependent upon
early reformation concerned pace religious_change town period process come about preoccupy late_medieval devotional system conspicuous absence however follow break rome government traditional practice rapidly drop evangelical idea begin spread preaching edward reign witness explosion reformist publish town parish move quickly implement official instruction church ceremonial others reign mary saw religious division widen number catholics inform upon large_group suspect protestants although_little success burning heretic witness display sympathy victim following accession elizabeth town preacher appoint disseminate new religious idea widely government_policy obviously important initiate religious_change extent policy_implement town dependent_upon