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Site News

New: Article on the Medieval minsters of Beverley, Rippon and York, submitted by Stuart Sharp.

We now have an RSS feed so you can stay up to date with the latest news here.

We've added lots more images. Check out the new photos on our Roman history site, such as Hadrian's Wall. Great new photos of Stonehenge and Avebury are on megalithic sites

Castles

Our castles pictures and notes have been updated with Farleigh Hungerford Castle. A full list of the historical galleries we have on line is also available now.

Society and Religion

Changes in the English Church under Edward VI (1547 - 1553)

In 1548 and 1549 royal instructions were issued ordering the removal of images and preventing the use of holy water, candles and palms. Priests was allowed to marry. The Order of Communion introduced the use of English prayers in the communion service, the Act of Uniformity authorised the use of the Book of Common Prayer in English, and an injunction ordered the destruction of Latin Service books. In 1550 altars were to removed and replaced with communion tables. Protestant ordination of pastors was introduced. In 1552, the second Act of Uniformity authorised the use of a revised Book of Common Prayer which was theologically and liturgically Protestant. It compelled attendance at the new services. In 1553 42 Articles of Faith were authorised, with a new catechism.

These actions all reflect a specific royal commitment to implement, even enforce, many of the demands of Protestant theologians, such as Luther, Calvin, et al. Thus In Edward's reign England became officially a Protestant country rather than a Catholic country which was at odds with the Pope.

How far did people's response to these demands represent a genuine commitment to Protestant ideals and rejection of Catholicism remains an issue for debate. The subsequent struggles over religion, as the country swung from one official faith to another, during and beyond the reign of Elizabeth, suggest that the process was not complete in winning over all hearts and minds.

For instance, the Warrener rebels (1549) demanded - a return to the Latin mass, the six articles, the death of heretics, prayers for the dead, the use of consecrated bread and water, and so on. They referred to the new service as "but like a Christmas game" - that is, clearly not a holy sacrament - and complained, in any case, that they did not all speak English so could not all understand the English mass.

Events

Etrusia is in the process of compiling a list of national events. If you are organising, supporting, publicising or simply know of an event related to any part of the UK history then let us know and we will add it to our list.

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