Religious life in Essex, circa 1500 to 1570
This thesis investigates popular religion in Essex during the English Reformation, and it assesses whether revisionist arguments that the Reformation was generally unwanted and was slow to take root apply there. Various sources, such as wills, churchwardens' accounts and court records, have been examined. These reveal that popular piety was strong on the eve of the Reformation, and that Lollardy influenced only a minority. Most people acquiesced to the changes in religious practice and church decor demanded by the Henrician and Edwardian governments, but this was due mainly to obedience and coercion, not conversion to the new teachings. By Edward's death there was a minority of convinced Protestants in Essex, mainly in the North of the county and along the Thames. For the majority, however, the result of the changes was uncertainty and confusion in religious matters. Victims of this unease included religious drama and the Church's sponsorship of popular festivals; both had been widespread throughout the early sixteenth century, but were severely curtailed by the mid-1540s. Mary attempted to restore Catholicism, and traditional piety did revive slightly during her reign, whilst traditional decor reappeared
Hart, Ian James
BX Christian Denominations ; DA Great Britain
Religious life in Essex, circa 1500 to 1570. This thesis investigates popular religion in Essex during the English Reformation, and it assesses whether revisionist arguments that the Reformation was generally unwanted and was slow to take root apply there. Various sources, such as wills, churchwardens' accounts and court records, have been examined. These reveal that popular piety was strong on the eve of the Reformation, and that Lollardy influenced only a minority. Most people acquiesced to the changes in religious practice and church decor demanded by the Henrician and Edwardian governments, but this was due mainly to obedience and coercion, not conversion to the new teachings. By Edward's death there was a minority of convinced Protestants in Essex, mainly in the North of the county and along the Thames. For the majority, however, the result of the changes was uncertainty and confusion in religious matters. Victims of this unease included religious drama and the Church's sponsorship of popular festivals; both had been widespread throughout the early sixteenth century, but were severely curtailed by the mid-1540s. Mary attempted to restore Catholicism, and traditional piety did revive slightly during her reign, whilst traditional decor reappeared
religious_life essex circa investigates popular_religion essex english_reformation assess_whether revisionist argument reformation generally unwanted slow take root apply there various source will churchwarden account court_record examine reveal popular piety strong eve reformation influence minority people change religious_practice church demand edwardian government due mainly obedience coercion conversion new teaching edward death minority convince protestants essex mainly north county along thames majority however change uncertainty confusion religious matter unease include religious drama church sponsorship popular festival widespread throughout severely mid mary attempt restore catholicism traditional piety revive slightly reign whilst traditional