The polemical literature of the English Protestant reformers, c. 1534-1547

This study seeks to trace the development of English Protestant literature from the time when evangelical books were first allowed to be published in England up till the death of. Henry VIII in 1547. Polemic is understood less as a literary genre in its own. right as a matter of intent and approach on the part of individual authors. The work thus involves a consideration of a wide variety of literary works including devotional and exegetical material. Chapters 2-6 seek to examine the Protestant books that-were brought out in England during the administration of Thomas Cromell. Protestant writings were initially tolerated because their anti-papal. and pro-monarchical sentiments complemented the policies of Henry VIII. In chapters 3 and 4 the work considers the relationship between Protestant ideas and other reformist currents in England, in particular those of Erasmian humanism and government apologetic. In chapter 5 through consideration of the work of two Protestant translators William Marshall and 1U, les Coverdale, it is shown how Protestant notions of salvation could be fused Ath an Erasmian emphasis on a reformation or morals. Chapter 6 continues to explore the interaction between Protestantism and government policy by examining the evangelical beliefs of Cromwell's official apologists and the works of unofficial writers. Between 1534 and 1540 English Protestants were heavily influenced by the direction of government policy. Most Protestant writers simply accepted Henry's supremacy of the church as a matter of fact and most sought to complement the government's religious reforms by attacking the same targets of government policy. Chapters 7 and 8 examine the Protestant literature which followed the reaction of 1539/40. Although some writers such as Thomas Becon continued to operate in England most Protestants were forced to flee overseas. In exile they developed more radical ideas on the I-lass and on clerical celibacy which were of importance to the later reforms of Edward VI. Through consideration of the relationship between Protestant writing and the progress of reform and react -ion in England the study seeks to present a more realistic appraisal of thc diversity and eclecticism of English Protestant theology in its early stages of development.