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How Protestant was England by 1553?

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Downloads to date: N/A | Words: 2200 | Submitted: 2005-01-09

...From 1547-1549 the government was effectively under the rule of Edward Seymour, who was more commonly known as the Duke of Somerset. At this period of time religion was still a fragile subject with the death of Henry VIII causing a polarization in beliefs - mainly between Protestantism and Catholicism. England was still Catholic when Henry VIII died in 1547 and Edward took over. The main question now was whether Edward would attempt to restore the old faith as there was a good foundation to build on (though perhaps not giving back the monastic lands). As it was the rising generation at court such as Edward Seymour (Duke of Somerset) who allied himself with the evangelicals during the last years of Henry’s reign and John Dudley (Duke of Northumberland) who had Protestant sympathies. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that there might be cautious moves in to the direction of Protestantism. From the start of Edwards reign, Edward had been surrounded by Protestantism. As he was being educated by Protestants, it was likely that the old church was to have little chance in the future. With Crammers left alive there was also a scholar and writer who could lay the theological basis of Protestantism to back up the political changes that were to come from Court and Parliament. As a result decisions made by Edward and his Protector Somerset tended towards Protestantism.
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