topic 4

• mark

  old english money; equivalent to 65p today
• avarice

  extreme greed for wealth
• reliquary


  a reliquary held the relic of a saint. these were elaborate, made of gold or silver and decorated with jewels
• simony

  this is was the sale of ecclesiastical title and occurred when a priest enjoying the income of a rich parish sold his position to the person willing to pay the most, rather than the most learned
• nepotism

  the promotion of one's family to lucrative positions rather than allocating positions on ability.
• pluralism and absenteeism

  a common complaint where in order to increase their incomes, priests would hold the right to more than one parish. this was known as pluralism. the priests would therefore be absent from one or more parishes; however he would take the money from both and employ a partially educated cleric to take the services as his deputy.
• mortuary fees 


  a payment made to the priest on the burial of a person by relatives
• anti-clericalism


  criticisms of the behaviour of the clergy and the practices of the church
• Who was Richard Hunne?

  He was a merchant tailor in London.
• What tragic event occurred in Richard Hunne's life in March 1511?

  His baby son died.
• What did the priest ask Richard Hunne for as a mortuary fee?

  The baby's christening robe.
• What was the reason for the property dispute involving Richard Hunne in November 1511?

  It was with the parish priest.
• In which court was Richard Hunne taken due to the property dispute?

  The archbishop court.
• Why was Richard Hunne arrested in October 1514?

  He was found with a Lollard Bible in his house.
• What was the date when Richard Hunne was found dead?

  December 1514.
• How did Richard Hunne reportedly die in his cell?

  He apparently hanged himself.
• What evidence suggested that Richard Hunne may have been murdered?

  His body showed signs of struggle.
• During his trial for heresy, what did Richard Hunne question?

  The authority of the church to collect mortuary fees.
• What doctrine did Richard Hunne deny during his trial?

  Transubstantiation.
• What was the fate of Richard Hunne's body on the authority of the Lord Chancellor?

  His body was burned.
• What was ultimately concluded about Richard Hunne's death?

  It was found that he was actually murdered.
• What often determines regional differences in opinion regarding religious practices?

  Trade
• How did the population of East Anglia change its view towards the church?

  They moved from criticizing the church to purchasing religious texts and adopting new religious ideas.
• Which region had a larger proportion of the population that could read and write?

  East Anglia
• Why were individuals in East Anglia often the first to embrace new religious ideas?

  They had invested significant material wealth in the church.
• What specific example is given of material wealth invested in the church in East Anglia?

  Norfolk's wool churches
• How did areas remote from London generally respond to changes in religious practices?

  They remained loyal to traditional practices and the clergy.
• What can be inferred about the relationship between literacy and religious change in East Anglia?

  Higher literacy rates facilitated the adoption of new religious ideas.
• If a region had low literacy rates, what might be expected regarding its religious practices?

  It might remain more traditional and resistant to change.