Editing Thomas Cromwell (section)

===Religious reform===
Cromwell orchestrated the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries]] and visitations to the universities and colleges in 1535, which had strong links to the church. This resulted in the dispersal and destruction of many books deemed "popish" and "superstitious". This has been described as "easily the greatest single disaster in English literary history". [[Oxford University]] was left without a library collection until Sir [[Thomas Bodley]]'s donation in 1602.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SochIc9cRGQC&pg=PT58|title=Mediaeval Education and the Reformation|author=John Lawson|date=15 April 2013|publisher=Routledge |access-date=17 November 2015|isbn=9781135031091}}</ref>

In July 1536, the first attempt was made to clarify religious doctrine after the break with Rome. Bishop [[Edward Foxe]] tabled proposals in Convocation, with strong backing from Cromwell and Cranmer, which the King later endorsed as the [[Ten Articles]] and which were printed in August 1536. Cromwell circulated injunctions for their enforcement that went beyond the Articles themselves, provoking opposition in September and October in [[Lincolnshire]] and then throughout the six northern counties. These widespread popular uprisings of the [[laity]],{{sfn|Hoyle|2001|p=5}} collectively known as the [[Pilgrimage of Grace]], found support among the gentry and even the nobility.{{sfn|Bucholz|Key|2004|p=77}}

The rebels' grievances were wide-ranging, but the most significant was the suppression of the monasteries, blamed on the King's "evil counsellors", principally Cromwell and Cranmer. One of the leaders of the rebellion was [[Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy of Darcy]], who gave Cromwell the prophetic warning during his interrogation in the Tower: "[...] men who have been in cases like with their prince as ye be now have come at the last to the same end that ye would now bring me unto.".{{sfn|Dodds|1915|p=186}} The suppression of the risings spurred further Reformation measures. In February 1537, Cromwell convened a [[vicegerent]]ial [[synod]] of bishops and academics. The synod was co-ordinated by Cranmer and Foxe, and they prepared a draft document by July: ''[[The Institution of a Christian Man]]'', more commonly known as the [[Bishops' Book#Bishops' Book (1537)|Bishops' Book]].{{sfn|MacCulloch|2018|pp=411–413}} By October, it was in circulation, although the King had not yet given it his full assent. However, Cromwell's success in Church politics was offset by the fact that his political influence had been weakened by the emergence of a [[Privy Council]], a body of nobles and office-holders that first came together to suppress the Pilgrimage of Grace. The King confirmed his support of Cromwell by appointing him to the [[Order of the Garter]] on 5 August 1537, but Cromwell was nonetheless forced to accept the existence of an executive body dominated by his conservative opponents.{{sfn|Leithead|2008}}

In January 1538, Cromwell pursued an extensive campaign against what the opponents of the old religion termed "idolatry"; statues, [[rood screen]]s, and images were attacked, culminating in September with the dismantling of the shrine of St. [[Thomas Becket]] at Canterbury. Early in September, Cromwell also completed a new set of vicegerential injunctions declaring open war on "pilgrimages, feigned relics or images, or any such superstitions" and commanding that "one book of the whole Bible in English" be set up in every church. Moreover, following the "voluntary" surrender of the remaining smaller monasteries during the previous year, the larger monasteries were now also "invited" to surrender throughout 1538, a process legitimised in the 1539 session of Parliament and completed in the following year.{{sfn|Leithead|2008}}

====Resistance to further religious reform====
The King was becoming increasingly unhappy about the extent of religious changes, and the conservative faction was gaining strength at court. Cromwell took the initiative against his enemies. He imprisoned [[Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter]], Sir [[Edward Neville (courtier)|Edward Neville]], and Sir [[Nicholas Carew (courtier)|Nicholas Carew]] on charges of treason in November 1538 (the "[[Exeter Conspiracy]]"), using evidence acquired from Sir [[Geoffrey Pole]] under interrogation in the Tower. Sir Geoffrey, "broken in spirit", was pardoned but the others were executed.{{sfn|Bernard|2007|pp=412–426}}

On 17 December 1538, the [[French Inquisition|Inquisitor-General of France]] forbade the printing of [[Miles Coverdale]]'s [[Great Bible]]. Then, Cromwell persuaded the King of France to release the unfinished books so that printing could continue in England. The first edition was finally available in April 1539. The publication of the Great Bible was one of Cromwell's principal achievements, being the first authoritative version in English.{{sfn|Leithead|2008}}

The King, however, continued to resist further Reformation measures. A Parliamentary committee was established to examine doctrine, and the [[Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk|Duke of Norfolk]] presented six questions on 16 May 1539 for the House to consider, which were duly passed as the Act of [[Six Articles (1539)|Six Articles]] shortly before the session ended on 28 June. The Six Articles reaffirmed a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments, and the priesthood.{{sfn|Leithead|2008}}