Wednesday 11 March 2009

What was the Religious Legacy left to Edward VI in 1547?

Henry's reign had been a confused mix of religious change:

1533-1538 - The Reformation had taken place, and many clear steps towards Protestantism had been taken.
1539-1547 - There had been a reversal back to re-establishing elements of Catholicism.

Both Protestants and Catholics had been burnt for heresy during Henry's reign.

Edward VI was a minor, and so incapable of ruling the country by himself. Instead, he had a Regency Council, set up by his father to rule until Edward was 16. The Council was split between Protestants and Catholics, adding to the confusion of the legacy. Edward's tutors had been Protestant, suggesting that Henry wanted his son to pursue a Protestant future for England. However, the sense of religious confusion left by Henry in 1547 made it unclear what he wanted.

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