To What Extent Was the 16th Century English Church in Need of Reformation?

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Before the reformation of the English Church in the 16th Century, there appears to be little need for the reformation to occur. Across England there still remained a large number of supports for the various establishments that were part of the Church, such as the Catholic intercessions, religious guilds and the parish churches and chapels. Nevertheless there were a few causes for reformation, the Pope being the Head of the Church, for instance, was a genuine issue for many people by 1534. Regardless, the other elements of the church that were claimed to need reform were minor issues that were not actually actively opposed rather enthusiasm was simply lost for them. Therefore it was not to a great extent that the English Church needed reformation in the 16th Century. Those historians, who would claim that the English Church needed reformation, would begin with the issue of The Papacy. As the Catholic Pope in Italy was the head of the Church, this gave a foreign authority a great deal of power in England. This did not sit well with Henry VIII or his people. Therefore by reforming the English Church and removing the Pope and making Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church in England, there was a revolution in the relationship between Church and State. Also as Thomas Cromwell, who masterminded this manoeuvre, had used parliament to enforce the reformation the principle that King-in-parliament was the highest form of authority. This sat very well with Henry VIII and appealed far more to those who lent to the positive and idealistic though secular form of anti-clericalism. This is one reason why the English Church did need to be reformed in the 16th century. Another reason the English Church may have needed reforming would be that many people lost enthusiasm for religious orders and religious images in the 16th century. Over time, it would appear that monks and nuns
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