Faction Fighting in the 1540s

• Henry's last years were dominated by faction fighting between conservatives, led by Norfolk and Gardiner, who upheld Supremacy but wanted an end to other religious reforms and reformers, led by Cranmer and Seymour who wanted more reform
• The King’s Book 1543:

  • a revision of the Bishops’ Book and endorsed by the King
  • importance of the Bible played down
  • importance of the Mass, transubstantiation and confession reinforced
  • images were accepted provided they were used without superstition.
• Act for the Advancement of true religion 1543:

  • Henry was concerned to curb who could read and own the English Bible
  • He was concerned that too open access was fomenting unrest and debate about religious doctrines
• Marriage to Catherine Parr 1543:

  • at the same time, Henry chose a known reformer as his last wife.
  • Conservatives attempted to link her to Anne Askew but when Wriothesley came with a royal warrant to arrest her, Henry dismissed him.