Bishop Gilbert Burnet: History of the Reformation of the Church of Engla...

REFORMATION TEAM IN THE FIRST INNING IN ENGLAND. The death of Henry VIII in January 1547 and Francis 1 of France a few months late on 31 Mar 1547, gave apprehensions to Protestants in Germany and potential opportunities for the Emperor. Francis had been flunctuating on religion, something his son did not do, siding with the Papes of Lorraine. The Reformation in England was pressed forward, although retarding forces argued that no changes should be made to Edward’s minority, e.g. the argument of the usual set: Princess Mary, Wily Winchester, Tunstal and Bonner. Dr. Cox and Mr. Cheke raised Edward in solid Churchmanship (which raises a question about Henry and Cranmer’s involvements). Dr. Cranmer’s team: “Cranmer had also several bishops of his side; Holgate of York, Holbeche of Lincoln, Goodrich of Ely, and, above all, Ridley elect of Rochester, designed for that see by king Henry, but not consecrated till September this year. Old Latimer was now discharged of his imprisonment but had no mind to return to a more public station, and did choose rather to live private, and employ himself in preaching. He was kept by Cranmer at Lambeth, where he spent the rest of his days, till he was imprisoned in queen Mary’s time, and attained the glorious end of his innocent and pious life” (69). Six districts for visitation: “They ordered them six several circuits or precincts. The first was, London, Westminster, Norwich, and Ely. The second, England. Rochester, Canterbury, Chichester, and Winchester. The third, Sarum, Exeter, Bath, Bristol, and Gloucester. The fourth, York, Durham, Carlisle, and Chester. The fifth Peterborough, Lincoln, Oxford, Coventry, and Lichfield. And the sixth, Wales, Worcester, and Hereford. For every circuit there were two gentlemen, a civilian, a divine, and a register” (70). And, in 1547, Homilies were ordered up. REFORMATION TEAM IN THE FIRST INNING IN ENGLAND.