6-English Reformer: ABC Matthew Parker (1504-1575)

Archbishop Parker by William Paul McClure Kennedy (London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd., 1908).

Part Six: 112, recommences with Parker’s concern for the Reformation at Cambridge and ends with the Act of Supremacy. He had a plate full of headaches and was the Archbishop from Dec 1559 till his death in May 1575.

Observations:

1. After becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury, Parker’s long interest in Cambridge came to expression—he was concerned about the progress of the Reformation there and “strongly advised a visitation.” (112) "Visitation" is code for "adjustments to come."

2. Pole’s statutes were repealed and he restored almost all the statutes from Edward’s days.

3. “Heads” rolled, that is, there were numerous “deprivations.”

4. Page 113 is blurred. We are at a loss for a summary of the changes.

5. Parliament opens.

6. Waad proposed to take away the title of “Lord” from the bishops, their “places in Parliament…their stately houses.” Also, reduction in income. Regrettably, this was not passed. There was no such conceivable idea of the separation of church and state in these times.

7. Marian religious houses were dissolved.

8. The Bills of “Supremacy and Uniformity” were the main battles.

9. McClure tells us the Mass was sung according to Edward’s use and communicants were served by a surpliced priest. Two things: the old Edwardian BCP removed the title “Mass” and “priest” so were are unsure about the historical accuracy here.

10. A dispute was arranged called the “Westminster Disputation,” between Papist and Reform parties. All was arranged with Cecil in the middle of it. McClure notes that there were publicity and educational intentions. Hard to tell, since this was very early in Elizabeth's reign and Parker's new role as ABC.

11. Subjects: use of English for divine worship, the sacrifice of the Mass, and the rights of the national church to change rites and ceremonies.

12. The Reformers, led by Sir Nicholas Bacon, president, tossed White of Winchester and Watson of Lincoln into the Tower (papists). Feckenham was also put under house arrest.

13. The Spaniards reported that gross disrespect was shown to the “Blessed Sacrament.”

14. Parker read some of the papers, although he appears to not have been in London for the debates. He adds Guest, Horne, Grindal, Cox and Jewel to be his aides in the administration of the Church.

15. The Bill or “Act of Supremacy” passed by 2/3’s and carried with a majority in the Lords. This is what because known as the Elizabethan Supremacy Act.

16. The title “Supreme Head” disappeared from English history and instead the phrase, “Supreme Governor of the realm as well in all spiritual or ecclesiastical things or causes as in temporal.” This included a declaration that no foreign power had any jurisdiction in England.

17. The next task was the New Prayer Book.

Correlations:

1. The U.S. Constitution that disestablished church and state.

2. France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Scotland, in terms of national churches at this time.

3. History of “free churches” and “non-conformity.

Interpretation:

We are unsure of Parker’s reforms at Cambridge and his precise engagements with the Elizabethan Act of Supremacy. However, he appointed Reformers as his assistants and not Romanists.

To be continued.