On January 28, 1547, Henry VIII died, leaving an empty throne and a religious mess in England.
He had been crowned at seventeen and reigned for nearly thirty-eight years.
He had ruined the lives of five different queens.
He had created the Church of England to further his own sinful goals.
He had dissolved the monasteries, both in accordance with religious change and to seize their wealth.
But all earthly reigns come to an end.
His nine-year-old son, the sixth Edward to rule England, took his place … partly. Too young to rule alone, he had a Lord Protector and several other advisors, including John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (who would try to put Edward’s cousin, Lady Jane Grey, on the throne upon Edward’s death).
Together, they made a team ready to implement big changes.
- No longer would services be held only in Latin—the common people should be able to understand what was being read.
- Statues and images were idolatrous and had to be taken from the churches.
- Marriage was for all people, including clergy.
The Protestants rejoiced, for truth seemed to be triumphing at last.
Sir, song in time past hath been downe a downe,
And long it hath lasted in tower and towne,
To have it much meeter, downe hath been added;
But up is more sweeter to make our hearts gladded.
Sing, up heart, sing, up heart, and sing now more downe,
But joy in King Edward that weareth the crowne.
So said a ballad, sung as the young king went to his coronation.
In reality, Edward would only live for six more years, his reign just a short breathing space before his half-sister, Mary I, took the throne. She would repeal all he had done, much of what her father had done, and try to re-establish England as a Catholic nation.
But though times grew difficult again, the truth still triumphed. It may have triumphed in homes instead of church buildings, it may have been spread in secret places instead of the streets, but it continued, shedding its light into longing hearts.
‘Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings’ Daniel 2:20-21
God knew what the English people were going through under the Tudor monarchs, and He was there. He gave grace to those in affliction. He extended forgiveness to those who, like the apostle Peter, denied Him before others. He comforted the widows, the orphans, the brothers and sisters who watched their dearest friends seal their stand of faith in the flames—true burnt offerings for Him.
‘For God is the King of all the earth … God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.’ Psalm 47:7-8
The King of kings holds all power, and dominion, and strength, and honour. Yet He is meek and lowly, a friend of sinners, and He abounds in grace towards those suffering. He is the Conqueror who helps us to conquer.
‘Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ’ 2 Corinthians 2:14
WHO WERE THE PROTESTANTS?
Great question! ‘Protestant’ was a broad term that referred to anyone who opposed—or ‘protested’—the Catholic Church. It included those who practiced infant baptism, like Luther’s and Calvin’s followers, and those who practiced believer’s baptism, like the Anabaptists.
(It’s interesting to note is that the Anabaptists were considered dangerous not only by the Catholics, but by most of the major reformers. You can read more about the controversies here: https://voice.dts.edu/article/anabaptists-forgotten-voices-reformation-2/)
THIS SEEMS ONE-SIDED. WERE THE CATHOLICS ALWAYS THE ‘BAD GUYS’?
No, they weren’t. The truth is, we are all ‘bad guys’—sinners in need of saving grace. Being labelled ‘Protestant’ didn’t mean you had been born again, had repented and accepted Christ as your Saviour and Lord.
Protestant monarchs executed people who disagreed with them. Some leading Protestant reformers did the same. And those not in positions of authority—who simply tried to live their lives in some semblance of safety—sometimes retaliated by burning buildings or breaking images and stained-glass windows. Even true Christians sometimes acted in ways contrary to Jesus’ command to love your neighbour and do good to those who hate you.
We are all works in progress.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Here are a few resources to get you started.
BOOKS:
The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves
Everyday Life in Tudor London by Stephen Porter
The Chronicles of Newgate by Arthur Griffiths (This one can be downloaded for free. It covers little of the Reformation, but gives a good view of the times)
WEBSITES:
www.midtudormanor.wordpress.com
https://www.britannica.com/summary/Reformation-Key-Facts
Please note: My sharing of these resources does not mean I condone everything they contain. Read with discretion, and remember that certain points of history can’t be proven, so differing opinions abound. When I wrote this article, I had to trust that the sources from which I had gained information were factual.
