AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Change and continuity in doctrine: liturgy, the eucharist and the Bible;…
Full specification wording
2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529– c1570 – Change and reaction, 1536–1547: Change and continuity in doctrine: liturgy, the eucharist and the Bible; doctrinal disputes as reflected in the Ten Articles and the Bishops’ Book; the King’s Book and the Six Articles
Between 1536 and 1547, Henry VIII’s religious policy fluctuated, reflecting a tension between reformist and conservative factions.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1536 and 1547, Henry VIII’s religious policy fluctuated, reflecting a tension between reformist and conservative factions. Change and continuity in doctrine were evident in the liturgy, the eucharist, and access to the English Bible. The 1536 Ten Articles introduced ambiguous reformist ideas, reducing sacraments from seven to three, while the 1537 Bishops’ Book restored the missing four but at a lower status. However, conservative reaction soon dominated. The 1539 Six Articles fiercely defended Catholic continuity, notably transubstantiation in the eucharist, penalising denial with death. The 1543 King’s Book further entrenched conservative doctrine, revising the Bishops' Book to defend traditional liturgy and masses for the dead, while the 1543 Act for the Advancement of True Religion restricted Bible reading to the upper classes.
What earns the marks
- Assess the extent of Protestant reform in the Ten Articles (1536) and the Bishops' Book (1537), noting the reduction and subsequent re-categorisation of the sacraments.
- Evaluate the conservative backlash represented by the Six Articles (1539), specifically its strict reaffirmation of transubstantiation and clerical celibacy.
- Analyse the significance of the King's Book (1543) in revising earlier doctrinal ambiguities to reassert traditional Catholic teachings on the liturgy and salvation.
- Examine the changing policies regarding the English Bible, contrasting the 1538 Injunctions requiring a Bible in every parish with the 1543 restrictions on who could read it.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the Ten Articles established a fully Protestant doctrine.
Put it right: Recognise that the Ten Articles were a compromise, retaining Catholic elements like the real presence in the eucharist while omitting four sacraments.
Confusing the Bishops' Book (1537) with the King's Book (1543).
Put it right: The Bishops' Book leaned slightly reformist but lacked Henry's full approval, whereas the King's Book was a conservative revision heavily endorsed by Henry.
Stating that the Six Articles introduced Protestant reforms.
Put it right: Identify the Six Articles as a fiercely conservative document that reinforced Catholic doctrines such as transubstantiation and communion in one kind.
Exam tips
- Use the fluctuating number and status of the sacraments across the Ten Articles and Bishops' Book to demonstrate the fluid nature of Henrician doctrine.
- Contrast the 1538 Royal Injunctions with the 1543 Act for the Advancement of True Religion to illustrate Henry's changing attitude towards lay access to the Bible.
- When discussing the eucharist, explicitly use the term 'transubstantiation' and explain how its defence in the Six Articles highlights doctrinal continuity with Rome.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2D Religious conflict and the Church in England, c1529– c1570 – Change and reaction, 1536–1547: Change and continuity in doctrine: liturgy, the eucharist and the Bible; doctrinal disputes as reflected in the Ten Articles and the Bishops’ Book; the King’s Book and the Six Articles lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following doctrines was explicitly reaffirmed by the Act of Six Articles in 1539, demonstrating a conservative reaction in the English Church?
Listen
Between 1536 and 1547, Henry VIII’s religious policy fluctuated, reflecting a tension between reformist and conservative factions. Change and continuity in doctrine were evident in the liturgy, the eucharist, and access to the English Bible. The 1536 Ten Articles introduced ambiguous reformist ideas, reducing sacraments from seven to three, while the 1537 Bishops’ Book restored the missing four but at a lower status. However, conservative reaction soon dominated. The 1539 Six Articles fiercely defended Catholic continuity, notably transubstantiation in the eucharist, penalising denial with death. The 1543 King’s Book further entrenched conservative doctrine, revising the Bishops' Book to defend traditional liturgy and masses for the dead, while the 1543 Act for the Advancement of True Religion restricted Bible reading to the upper classes. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Assess the extent of Protestant reform in the Ten Articles (1536) and the Bishops' Book (1537), noting the reduction and subsequent re-categorisation of the sacraments. Evaluate the conservative backlash represented by the Six Articles (1539), specifically its strict reaffirmation of transubstantiation and clerical celibacy. Analyse the significance of the King's Book (1543) in revising earlier doctrinal ambiguities to reassert traditional Catholic teachings on the liturgy and salvation. Examine the changing policies regarding the English Bible, contrasting the 1538 Injunctions requiring a Bible in every parish with the 1543 restrictions on who could read it. A common slip: Assuming the Ten Articles established a fully Protestant doctrine. Instead, Recognise that the Ten Articles were a compromise, retaining Catholic elements like the real presence in the eucharist while omitting four sacraments. Exam tip: Use the fluctuating number and status of the sacraments across the Ten Articles and Bishops' Book to demonstrate the fluid nature of Henrician doctrine.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Doctrinal change and continuity
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Factional politics
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Religious conservatism versus reform
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See every definition
- Doctrinal change and continuity
- Change and continuity in doctrine were evident in the liturgy, the eucharist, and access to the English Bible between 1536 and 1547.
- Factional politics
- Henry VIII's religious policy fluctuated, reflecting a tension between reformist and conservative factions.
- Religious conservatism versus reform
- Conservative reaction soon dominated, as the Six Articles fiercely defended Catholic continuity and the King's Book further entrenched conservative doctrine.
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