The restoration of Papal Authority

• The Second Parliament (1)

  • Mary’s Second Parliament, called in April 1554, was led by Stephen Gardiner, whose aim was to legislate England’s return to Catholicism and Papal authority.
  • Gardiner introduced several key bills:
  • Revival of statutes against Lollards and Heretics (passed by Commons on 9 April).
  • Revival of the Act of Six Articles (passed 17 April).
  • A bill restricting the eating of meat on Holy Days.
  • A bill preventing the Pope from reclaiming former abbey lands.
• The Second Parliament (2)

  • Although all passed through the Commons, only the bill restoring the Bishopric of Durham gained approval from the Lords.
  • This failure angered Mary, Gardiner, and the imperial ambassador Renard. Parliament was prorogued, and Paget’s influence fell.
  • The main reason for the Lords' rejection was concern over property: many had profited from the monastic dissolution and feared papal claims over land ownership. Lord Paget’s resistance was key due to his status and widespread respect across different reigns.
• The Restoration of Papal Authority and Catholic Doctrine

  • The fate of England’s Church rested with Pope Julius III, Philip of Spain, and Cardinal Reginald Pole.
  • Philip pressured for the swift return to Rome, unwilling to rule a schismatic nation.
  • Pole, chosen as papal legate due to his Plantagenet heritage and ties to Mary, delayed his arrival until November 1554, just before the Third Parliament.
• The Third Parliament, 1554–55

  • This Parliament saw the passing of the Second Statute of Repeal, which repealed all legislation since 1529, effectively ending Royal Supremacy.
  • This legislation only passed after it was agreed monastic lands would not be returned to the Church — a major concession.
  • On 30 November 1554, Pole formally absolved England of its sins and welcomed it back into Christendom.
  • Mary abandoned her ambition to restore all monastic institutions but did return Crown-held lands (worth £60,000 annually), including recreating Westminster Abbey.
• The Issue of Monastic Lands

  • Parliament’s refusal to restore monastic land to the Church was a major limitation on Mary’s religious agenda.
  • The compromise preserved property rights for landowners and recognised Parliament’s control over religious matters — a legacy of the Reformation Parliament.
  • Although England returned to Papal authority, Mary’s concession to Parliament showed that religious restoration now relied on political negotiation, not papal will alone.
• The Restoration of Catholic Doctrine

  • Most of the laity appeared willing to accept or even welcome the return to Catholic practices. Resistance was limited.
  • Many accepted the monarch’s right to dictate religion — a flexibility that allowed for the religious swings of the century.
  • Historian Eamon Duffy argues that Mary’s Catholicism was not entirely backward-looking. He suggests she retained some Henrician and even Edwardian reforms, such as a revised ritual calendar that reflected changes made under Henry VIII.
• Mary as Reformer

  • Despite a broad Privy Council, Mary increasingly relied on a smaller circle of trusted advisors, particularly Paget, Petre, and Paulet.
  • She worked effectively to reform key areas of government, including finance and the military.
• Financial Reform

  • Mary inherited a financially unstable realm, worsened by Crown land sales and currency debasement under Edward VI.
  • Although a full recoinage was planned under her reign, it was delayed due to the harvest failures of 1556–57 and only implemented under Elizabeth.
  • Mary did succeed in increasing Crown income:
  • She surveyed Crown lands and raised rents, increasing revenue by £40,000 annually.
  • She also raised customs duties for the first time since 1507, generating an additional £29,000 in 1558.
  • Though Mary benefitted, it was Elizabeth who reaped the longer-term rewards of these reforms.
• Reform of the Armed Forces

  • Military reform may have been influenced by Philip, but the need for a more modern army was clear.
  • England still relied on a feudal-style system, whereas continental armies were professional and well-equipped.
  • The 1558 Act for the Taking of Musters made shires responsible for raising and equipping troops, requiring contributions of men and materials.
  • A Weapons Act detailed what each social class should provide, modernising military supply and discipline.
  • In naval terms, Mary revived England’s declining fleet by funding six new ships and repairing others. Financial oversight was handled by Gardiner and naval treasurer Benjamin Gonson.
  • These efforts laid the groundwork for the Elizabethan navy and its later successes, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
• Revenue Reform

  • Financial administration had become disorganised by mid-century, with several overlapping departments.
  • A 1552 commission recommended streamlining — Mary acted on this, shifting 75% of Crown income into Treasury control, compared to just 30% previously.
  • Though not fully completed in her reign, these reforms had lasting effects into the 17th century.
• The Limits of the Restoration (1)

  • Pole’s absolution applied only to those who accepted Catholicism — Protestants who refused faced persecution.
  • Around 800 parish clergy were deprived of their livings, especially those who were married or refused to renounce Protestant beliefs.
  • The Marian regime reinstated heresy laws, and while some fled abroad, others were executed, including many in Kent.
  • Yet, according to Nicholas Harpsfield’s 1557 survey of Kent — a region formerly Protestant and associated with the Wyatt Rebellion — conformity was widespread.
  • Out of 243 parishes, most had restored Catholic furnishings, vestments, altars, and liturgical books.
  • Compliance was prompt and largely unchallenged, indicating acceptance rather than resistance.
  • Some heretics did recant and conform after penance, especially in areas where preaching was effective.
• The Limits of the Restoration (2)

  • However, Mary’s early death in 1558 meant her reforms lacked time to fully embed. Though wealthy individuals had begun restoring churches, much remained incomplete.
  • Her failure to restore Catholicism long-term wasn’t necessarily due to opposition, but rather the brevity of her reign.
  • Ultimately, Elizabeth’s rejection of Catholic doctrine ensured that the Marian restoration would not endure beyond 1558.