Bp. Gilbert Burnet: Reformation of the Church of England," 4.2.129ff

(Pages 129-169) 1530-1532: HENRY-CATHERINE-GATE AND $$-POPE-GATE. Bishop Burnet takes us into the primary sources in this volume. Dr. Cranmer is off to the Continent in Jan 1530 to run the universities for rulings favoring Henry. He’s also crafted a book on his views while living in the Boleyn residence after he was “enlisted” by Henry for Henry. Meanwhile, Henry wants OXBRIDGE’s rulings. Stephen Gardiner and Edward Foxe write a letter to Henry, Feb 1530, about the debates at Cambridge, advising that partisans inhabit both sides, but that a ruling in Henry’s favor is likely. 200 Bachelors of Divinity and MAs are present, including Doctors. Shaxton, Latimer, Salcot, Hutton, and Day are involved, key players that will enter stage-left in Reformation days. Game on at Cambridge in 1530. As an aside, Gardiner refers to Cranmer’s “book.” By 1 July 1530, Croke writes from Venice about success with the divines of Padua and Ferrara, but notes that he’s running short on funds. For greasing the palms and priming the pump? Also, notably, he complains about “Lutherans” in Padua and Ferrara, a note that gets little visibility—to wit, Lutheranism in Italy (although Latin books travel fast in academic circles). Croke thinks that all the universities of Italy, France, Almaine, Austria, Hungry and Scotland will agree with Henry, “if they be well handled” (134). Pay-to-play. The University of Paris declares that the Pope was not able to dispense as Julius 11 did, thus, favoring Henry. Other universities are running in Henry’s favor. But Lutheran divines are all against Henry. Then, we hear of the Conditional Act for the Restraint of Annates, 1532 (23 Henry VIII, c.20) as a primary document. As a final way to the get the Pope’s attention, moneys or annates, “first fruits” from the first year of an Archbishop’s or Bishop’s income, might be withheld. The reading is utterly tedious, but the language is for ruff-necks speaking polite legalese re: the “intolerable exactions” and losses to England. The wording is careful, legal, inflated, pregnant, long-winded and hints at amity, comity and charity…but, there’s a big adversative coming…but, while floating this possible restriction of cash to the Pope. UPSHOT USMC Version: Mr. Pope, play my way or no more cash for you. Apparently, this really moved the Pope. What if other nations follow suit? Will this foreshadow a large economic downturn? I have Renaissance art projects running here! I’m the center of the church! By 1532, everyone and his brother knows the Papacy is one large-fiscal-shakedown-machine of this-cost-for-that-this-and-the-other. The Act covers all the details. A huge taxation system with money flowing in one direction: the Pope “fleecing the sheep” as Calvin colorfully called it.