Procedures
(Segment I First 45 minutes)
1. Briefly explain the strained relation between Emperor Charles
V and Pope Clement VII. Give incidental explanation of mercenary
warfare in Italy. Discuss the problem of non-payment of mercenary
troops and compare it to earlier lessons on the Sacking of Constantinople.
Have students relate their own experiences of employment disappointments,
or “unfair” payment practices.
Have the students guess the resultant actions of the mercenaries
using key hints to direct them.
(e.g. Where might one find money in Italy? -Rome; How could the mercenaries
pay themselves? -By force; What did the Crusaders do when they
were not paid in Constantinople? -Sacked the city; What do you think
Charles V’s mercenary troops did? -Sacked Rome.)
2. Relate some of the more atrocious accounts of the sacking in story form; students enjoy hearing about cardinals being thrown from windows and horses being stabled in the Sistine Chapel.
3. Explain Charles’ intervention to stop the carnage and restore the Papacy. Discuss, and allow the students to arrive at the affect, i.e. Charles/Spain controls the Pope and the Papacy.
Using the computer show pictures of Charles V, Clement VII and maps of Italy. (bookmark these sites before class using the list in the Bibliography section. To access the Bibliography click HERE.)
(Segment II Second 45 minutes)
1. Discuss Henry VIII without any connection to Clement VII or
Charles V.
Renaissance man
Multiple accomplishments
Defender of the Faith (In Defense of the Seven Sacraments) (see
Bib. below)
Marriage to Catherine of Aragon
2. Discuss Catherine of Aragon
Sister in law (death of elder brother)
Papal indult/Dispensation for marriage to take place
Spanish royalty (alliance with Spain; historic enmity with France)
Male heir issue (Mary Tudor)
3. Discuss the Divorce
Explain the difference between Divorce & Annulment
Discuss the Papal connection (Indult/Dispensation)
The Judgment of God (incest with brother’s wife = no male heir) [discuss
the sincerity of this argument]
Anne Boleyn (“large with child”) have students read Abp.
Cranmer’s letter re. Anne’s marriage & coronation listed below under
“Primary Documents”. Discuss the time constraints of Anne’s pregnancy.
4. Discuss the consequences of the Divorce
What becomes of Catherine?
What becomes of Mary? (have students discuss illegitimacy then
& now)
5. Disclose the family relation between Charles V & Catherine
of Aragon (tie together the two lessons)
Charles V - favorite nephew of Catherine
Concern for Mary’s future
Diplomatic relations; Spain & England
Religion; Fear of an English Reformation
Clement’s unwillingness/inability to grant the annulment
6. Resultant English Reformation
Discuss the Act of Supremacy (related Parliamentary Acts, Dissolution
of the Monasteries, monastic lands used for political bribery to lobby
for Parliamentary passage of the acts, etc.)
Discuss Henry’s vision of an English Catholicism (as opposed to Continental
Protestantism) Relate previous lessons, “The Investiture Crisis”.
Define “Catholic” in terms boarder then “Roman Catholic” (This
is an important foundation for later lessons; Anglican “Via Media”,
the Independent & Old Catholic movements, The Oxford Movement, etc.)
Using the computer show pictures of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. (again, bookmark sites before class using the Bibliography, click HERE for Bibliography)