1540-1543: Cromwell & Conservative Rise Quiz

What was the main reason for the conservative faction's concern over Catherine Parr's marriage to Henry VIII?

What incident in 1546 allowed conservatives to attempt to accuse Catherine Parr of heresy?

How did Henry VIII react when the conservatives attempted to arrest Catherine Parr?

Which individual was falsely accused by reformers of supporting the reinstatement of papal authority?

What ultimately led to the fall of Norfolk and the Earl of Surrey in December 1546?

What strategy did Thomas Howard employ to diminish Cromwell's influence over Henry?

What were the grounds for Cromwell's arrest in June 1540?

Which event directly followed the annulment of Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves?

Who facilitated Catherine Howard's affair with Thomas Culpepper?

What was the outcome for Cranmer in the 1543 conspiratorial plot against him?

Which figure accused Cranmer of heresy during the Cranmer Plot?

How did Henry VIII respond to the accusations against Cranmer?

What was the fate of Germain Gardiner after the Cranmer Plot?

1540: The Fall of Cromwell and Rise of the Conservatives

Thomas Cromwell's downfall: The Duke of Norfolk, using his niece Catherine Howard, and leveraging his son's resentment of Cromwell, influenced Henry VIII to arrest and execute Cromwell on charges of heresy and treason.
Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine Howard: This marriage granted the conservative faction significant power, as reformers were left without a leader.

1542: Catherine Howard's Downfall

Affair and accusations: Catherine Howard had an affair with Thomas Culpepper. Evidence was presented by Reformists including Cranmer and Seymour, leading to Catherine's execution, along with Culpepper, Dereham, and Lady Rochford, though key conservatives avoided punishment.

1543: The Cranmer Plot (Prebendaries Plot)

Reformist accusations: Conservative clergymen accused reformers of heresy.
Cranmer's defense: Germain Gardiner attempted to accuse Cranmer of heresy, but Cranmer exhibited Henry VIII's ring, which had been given as a sign of trust.
Conspiracy's conclusion: The plot failed, with second-tier conservative leaders imprisoned and Germain Gardiner executed.

1546: Plot Against Catherine Parr

Conservative accusations: The conservatives aimed to link the heretic Anne Askew with Catherine Parr, and presented accusations to Henry, who signed articles against her.
Catherine's defense: Catherine Parr intervened directly with Henry, averting her execution.

Fall of Conservative Leaders

Gardiner's downfall: The Reformist faction accused Gardiner of supporting papal authority and refusal to grant lands to the King. Though false, the accusations succeeded in removing Gardiner.
Norfolk and Surrey's downfall: Seymour provided evidence to the king that Norfolk and son, the Earl of Surrey, had committed treason in form of depicting the Plantagenet coat of arms.

Religion in the 1540s

England was legally Protestant, despite maintained Catholic practices.
Henry VIII, in 1546, had Anne Askew burned for denial of transubstantiation.

Test your knowledge on the political shifts in England from 1540 to 1543, focusing on the fall of Thomas Cromwell and the rise of conservative factions under Henry VIII. Explore key events such as the marriages and accusations that shaped this tumultuous period.