Henry VIII Society

• Big importance of the Catholic Church:

  • Mass every Sunday
  • Transubstantiation
  • Large in community
  • Holy days and plays
• Dissatisfaction with the Church:

  • Corruption and abuse of clerical power - Church courts (benefit of the clergy)
  • State of religious orders
  • Minor spread of Protestantism - Lutheranism
• NOBILITY

  • Peerage size increased
  • Most achieved it through royal service.
• 5000 GENTRY FAMILIES IN ENGLAND IN 1540
• COMMONERS:

  • Little change to standard of living in first half of the reign.
  • Drop in income due to rise in inflation.
  • Lead to.. Negativity towards the amicable grant
  • Social structure unchanged