Edwardian Reformation

The Edwardian Reformation Definition

The Edwardian Reformation was a part of the English Reformation that began with Henry VIII's "great matter," leading to the Church of England's break with Catholicism and the Papal court in Rome. The young Edward VI's faith leaned towards a much stricter form of Protestantism than his father as he was educated by reformers, particularly Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Edwardian Reformation History

The primary reforms implemented during the Edwardian Reformation stemmed from the pen of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury (1489-1556). In 1547 Cranmer invited influential Continental reformers to move to England and take positions at Oxford University. He drafted the documents that would define the reformed Church of England with their assistance.

Act of Uniformity (1549)

In January 1549, Parliament under Edward VI passed the Act of Uniformity, written by a committee chaired by Cranmer. This Act mandated that the entire realm follow the same religious practices outlined in a new Book of Common Prayer. Parliament gave the clergy one year to comply with the new changes, and if they still refused were subject to harsh punishment, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders.

Book of Common Prayer (1549)

This book contained the first collection of daily prayers in the English language. It also outlined the church services for the Church of England. The first version made compromises with the more traditional, Catholic-leaning Church of England from Henry VIII's reign. For example, it kept altars in churches and robes for the clergy. However, it did make sweeping changes to Church doctrine, grounded in Protestant teachings of Justification by Faith Alone and Predestination (only a preselected elect get into Heaven).

Zealous reformers thought the Book did not represent enough reform to the Church of England and pushed Cranmer to make stricter changes. But Cranmer was more politically aware than these individuals and chose the path of more gradual reform. However, the Book of Common Prayer still incited hostility from traditionalists who thought the changes too much. An unsuccessful rebellion rose up in the areas of Devon and Cornwall because of opposition to the Book of Common Prayer, which claimed the lives of 5,500 people.

Act of Uniformity and Book of Common Prayer (1552)

The new Act of Uniformity passed by Parliament laid the groundwork for even more significant Protestant reforms to the Church of England. It mandated that all churches in the realm now adhere to the doctrinal changes in a new Book of Common Prayer.

This new Book removed prayers for the dead because they implied the existence of Purgatory, which was a Roman Catholic belief. Regular bread replaced communion wafers. Infants were no longer lightly exorcized to remove original sin at baptism. After Edward VI died in 1553, Mary I removed the Book from use, but Elizabeth I reinstated it in 1559.

Forty-Two Articles (1552)

Cranmer and a committee of reformers outlined these articles that defined the practices and doctrines of the Church of England. It sought to reform canon law in England so that it resembled the reform doctrines in Continental Europe. Unfortunately, Edward VI died before Parliament could approve the Articles. However, when Elizabeth I ascended the throne, she presented them to a Convocation with only minor revisions. Articles that appeared more Catholic-leaning were removed. The document became the Thirty-Nine Articles (1571), which form the basis of Anglican Church doctrine today.

Edwardian Reformation Timeline

Edwardian reformation can be summarised in a timeline below:

Fig. 2 - Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, by an unknown artist

Impact and Legacy of the Edwardian Reformation

Was the Edwardian Reformation successful? Yes and no. The legislation Edward VI set down to change the Church of England to a strictly Protestant faith effectively stripped churches of their Catholic trappings and forced Protestant doctrine on the people. But, again, there was resistance, particularly in areas farther away from London that were more difficult to regulate.

Historian Eamon Duffy points out that while outward conformity to the reformed agenda was more or less universal, one cannot assume that conformity brought sincere religious change. He argues that there was great enthusiasm for returning to Catholicism under Mary I, which indicates that not all English people truly converted to the reformed faith during Edward's reign. If he had reigned longer, this might have been different.

The "English Reformation"

As such, Edwardian reforms did make an impact in the long term. Elizabeth I based much of her religious settlement and doctrinal policies on those implemented during her brother's reign. The Elizabethan articles of faith are still the backbone of the Anglican church today.

Edwardian Reformation Summary

In summary, the Edwardian Reformation was a period of religious upheaval and change in England during the mid-16th century, during the reign of King Edward VI. The primary reforms implemented during the Edwardian Reformation stemmed from Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, who drafted the documents that would define the reformed Church of England.

In January 1549, the Act of Uniformity was passed, which mandated that the entire realm follow the same religious practices outlined in a new Book of Common Prayer. The Book of Common Prayer, which contained the first collection of daily prayers in the English language, also outlined the church services for the Church of England. The new Act of Uniformity, passed by Parliament, laid the groundwork for even more significant Protestant reforms to the Church of England, such as the removal of prayers for the dead, the use of regular bread instead of communion wafers, and the removal of lightly exorcizing infants during baptism.

The impact of the Edwardian Reformation was significant, as it marked a shift towards Protestantism and away from Catholicism in England. It also had a profound impact on English society and culture, shaping the country's religious, political, and social identity for centuries to come.