The English Reformation c.1520–c.1550 (J410/12) - The impact of the Reformation in English parishes c.1534–c.1550 — OCR GCSE History
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The English Reformation c.1520–c.1550 (J410/12) - The impact of the Reformation in English parishes c.1534–c.1550 explained
Religious policy shifted under Henry VIII and Edward VI.
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Henry broke with Rome and dissolved the monasteries; Edward moved further towards Protestantism. Worship changed: services moved towards English, prayer books such as the 1549 Book of Common Prayer were issued, and the Bible in English was made available. Church fabric altered as images, shrines and altars were removed. The clergy faced new expectations, including the end of compulsory clerical celibacy under Edward. Policies were enforced through visitations and royal instructions. Ordinary people responded in mixed ways, some accepting change and others resisting. Resistance included the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 in the south-west.
Your focus
- Describe religious policy changes under Henry VIII and Edward VI
- Explain effects on worship, church fabric and the clergy
- Explain responses of ordinary people and resistance such as the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549
The English Reformation c.1520–c.1550 (J410/12) - The impact of the Reformation in English parishes c.1534–c.1550 exam tips
Marking Points
- Describes changes in religious policy under Henry VIII and Edward VI, including the break with Rome and moves towards Protestantism
- Explains effects on worship such as English services, the issue of prayer books and the Bible in English
- Identifies impact on the fabric of churches, including removal of images, shrines and altars
- Explains effects on the clergy, such as new expectations and the end of compulsory celibacy under Edward
- Describes enforcement of new policies through visitations and royal instructions
- Recognises varied responses of ordinary people, including acceptance and resistance
- Names the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 as resistance and protest
Examiner Tips
- 💡Link each policy change to a specific monarch to show chronological understanding
- 💡Give concrete examples of worship changes, such as English services and prayer books
- 💡Explain enforcement through visitations rather than assuming change happened automatically
- 💡Use the Prayer Book Rebellion as a specific example of resistance
Common Mistakes
- Treats Henry VIII and Edward VI as pursuing identical religious policies; distinguish Henry's break with Rome from Edward's Protestant reforms
- Assumes the Bible in English was unavailable before the Reformation; note that its issue was part of the changes
- Ignores the fabric of churches; remember that images, shrines and altars were removed
- Places the Prayer Book Rebellion in the wrong year; date it to 1549