Using Paintings as Evidence
Edward VI & the
Reformation
• During the short reign of, Edward VI (15471553), Henry VIIIs ‘Reformation’ continued and
even more church property was taken and any
remaining monasteries were also closed.
• There was also an attempt to reform some of the
religious ways of the time with the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, in particular
wanting to bring in Protestant ways of worship.
Consequently many of the old Catholic statues
and paintings were destroyed. A new prayer book
was introduced and church services were made
more simple.
• During Mary I’s equally short reign (1553-1558)
attempts were made to reverse the changes
introduced by Edward and to bring back the Roman
Catholic religion in England. This is known as the
counter-reformation. As queen Mary tried to
reverse the religious changes that had been made
in the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI.
• Her loyalty to Catholicism led to about 300
Protestants being burned at the stake. Included
amongst these was the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Thomas Cranmer, who was executed for high
treason.
• When Elizabeth I came to the throne she
returned the country back to Protestantism and
made the Church of England the established
church.
Edward VI & the Pope
Image used with the kind permission of the National Portrait Gallery
• This painting was probably produced between 1568 and 1571, to
celebrate the successful re-establishment of the Church of
England under Elizabeth I and to commemorate the anti-papal
policies of Edward VI. There are a number of features in the
painting which illustrate this Protestant viewpoint.
Click on each question mark to learn more about this painting
The Pope with his staff
Henry VIII on his death bed
The new English prayer book which
strikes the Pope's head
How does this image show that the new English prayer book was a
‘blow’ to the Pope in Rome.
The boy king, Edward VI on a
small throne
What features in the painting show that Henry VIII intended his son to be the
next king?
Through the window Catholic
statues are being destroyed.
How is this showing that the Reformation continued during the
reign of Edward VI?
The Archbishop of Canterbury,
Thomas Cranmer
The Protestant Protector,
the Duke of Somerset
The blank white spaces may have been intended for
further anti-Catholic inscriptions
What advice do you
think Henry VII is
giving to his son
Edward VI?
What do you think
Edward might be
saying to his
father, Henry
VIII?
What do you think
the Pope might be
saying to the new
King, Edward VI?
True or False?
Edward VI introduced Protestant
changes to the church?
True
False
True or False?
• Edward VI introduced Protestant
changes to the church?
True
False
Edward was raised as a Protestant and under his uncle the
Protestant Protector the crown continued to pass further religious
acts
True or False?
• Edward VI introduced Protestant
changes to the church?
True
False
Try again
True or False?
The Pope wanted prayer books to be
written in English?
True
False
True or False?
The Pope wanted prayer books to be
written in English?
True
False
Try again
True or False?
The Pope wanted prayer books to be
written in English?
True
False
The Pope wanted prayer books to be written in Latin,
not in English
True or False?
During Edward’s reign Catholic statues
were destroyed
True
False
True or False?
During Edward’s reign Catholic statues
were destroyed
True
False
Try again
True or False?
During Edward’s reign Catholic statues
were destroyed
True
False
Catholic statutes were destroyed during the
Reformation as they were a symbol of the wealth and
corruption of the Catholic church
True or False?
Mary I was nicknamed ‘Bloody Mary’?
True
False
True or False?
Mary I was nicknamed ‘Bloody Mary’?
True
False
During her short reign about 300 Protestants
were burned at the stake which led to her
nickname of ‘Bloody Mary’
True or False?
• Mary I was nicknamed ‘Bloody Mary’?
True
False
Try again
True or False?
• Elizabeth tried to find a ‘middle way’?
True
False
True or False?
• Elizabeth tried to find a ‘middle way’?
True
False
Try again
True or False?
• Elizabeth tried to find a ‘middle way’?
True
False
Elizabeth was a Protestant but she tried to
introduce a ‘religious settlement’ that would settle
some of the religious quarrels
End