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Year 8

Thomas Cromwell and the Reformation Parliament

I can explain how the power of the king changed due to the Reformation Parliament.

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Year 8

Thomas Cromwell and the Reformation Parliament

I can explain how the power of the king changed due to the Reformation Parliament.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Thomas Cromwell was an important minister who helped Henry VIII increase his power.
  2. Cranmer used theological ideas to argue for the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
  3. The Reformation Parliament (1529-1536) radically changed the powers of the monarchy.
  4. The 1534 Act of Supremacy made Henry the 'Supreme Head of the Church of England'.
  5. Henry had to rely on Parliament for the Break with Rome.

Keywords

  • Parliament - representatives from across the country who advise the king, approve taxes and make laws

  • Act - a written law passed by Parliament

  • Supreme - the highest in rank or authority

Common misconception

There has always been a large variety of names that people could be called.

In societies that do not experience a great deal of immigration, the pool of names that people can be called can be limited. This was the case for hundreds of years in England, causing many people to share the same names (e.g. Thomas!).


To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Thomas Cromwell and the Reformation Parliament, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to create a list of key individuals that they can refer to if they get confused by too many people sharing the same name.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why was it surprising that Henry VIII became King of England in 1509?
He said he never wanted to become king.
Correct answer: His older brother, Arthur, was heir to the throne, not him.
His older sister, Margaret, was heir to the throne, not him.
He killed his brother, Arthur, in order to secure the throne.
Q2.
Who did Henry VIII marry in 1509?
Correct answer: Catherine of Aragon
Anne Boleyn
Anne of Cleves
Catherine Howard
Q3.
Who had the task of securing Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon?
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
Anne Boleyn
Correct answer: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
Pope Clement VII
Q4.
Why was Thomas Wolsey described as the ‘alter rex’ (‘the other king’)?
because he had royal blood
Correct answer: because he was one of the wealthiest men in England
because he was Henry's heir to the throne
Correct answer: because he wielded significant power
Q5.
Complete the sentence: Henry grew increasingly concerned during his marriage to Catherine of Aragon that his death would lead to a period of instability unless a male could be produced.
Correct Answer: heir, Heir
Q6.
Put the following events in chronological order.
1 - Catherine of Aragon married Henry VIII when he became king.
2 - Mary, Henry and Catherine's daughter, was born.
3 - Henry contacted Pope Clement VII to ask for an annulment, but was denied.
4 - Wolsey organised a Church court to argue for Henry’s annulment, but was denied.
5 - Wolsey was arrested for treason and died on the way to trial.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:act,a written law passed by Parliament
tick

a written law passed by Parliament

Correct Answer:supreme,the highest in rank or authority
tick

the highest in rank or authority

Correct Answer:Parliament,representatives who advise the king, approve taxes and make laws
tick

representatives who advise the king, approve taxes and make laws

Q2.
Complete the sentence: Thomas used theological ideas to argue for the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Correct answer: Cranmer
Cromwell
Wolsey
More
Q3.
Complete the sentence: The 1534 Act of Supremacy made Henry the ' Head of the Church of England'.
Correct Answer: Supreme, supreme
Q4.
Which Thomas retired from his position as Lord Chancellor in 1532 due to his loyalty to the Catholic Church?
Cranmer
Cromwell
Wolsey
Correct answer: More
Q5.
Which Thomas was very good at manipulating Parliament into voting for acts that increased Henry’s power through emotive speeches and appointing candidates who were favourable to Henry's reforms?
Cranmer
Correct answer: Cromwell
Wolsey
More
Q6.
How did the Submission of the Clergy (1532) effectively remove the power of the pope in England?
The Church could now not make any religious laws without Parliament's authority.
Correct answer: The Church could now not make any religious laws without the king’s authority.
The Church could now not make any religious laws without the pope's authority.

Additional material

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