This volume explores a range of topics during a turbulent period in British history, with particular emphasis on political change and popular piety. On the eve of the Reformation, religious beliefs were shaped by a church which was falling under the growing control of the state, and by responses to England's one and only heretical movement, Lollardy. In political life, gradual disengagement from a cross-Channel political world was followed by civil war and the eventual rise of a strong Tudor monarchy. As this volume demonstrates in a number of ways, the impact of many of these macro changes...

Examines the role of the early Tudor Church and the impact it had in society. Amongst the areas covered are: the Higher Clergy; the Church and the Lay Power; the Lesser Clergy; the Regular Clergy; Canon Law and the people; the community of the parish; worship and preaching; and beliefs and values.

A detailed survey which examines the major developments in English society during this period of social crises, population decline, agarian unrest, the introduction to enclosures - and political tensions particularly over succession.