Italian Reform and English Reformations, c.1535c.1585 (Catholic Christendom, 1300-1700)

265 Pages·2008·1.64 MB·English

by  M. Anne Overell

Italian Reform and English Reformations,
c.1535–c.1585
In loving memory of Alan Overell
Italian Reform and English
Reformations, c.1535–c.1585
ANNE OVERELL
The Open University, UK
© Anne Overell 2008
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission
of the publisher.
Anne Overell has asserted her moral right under the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.
Published by
Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company
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Croft Road 101 Cherry Street
Aldershot Burlington, VT 05401-4405
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Overell, M. Anne
Italian Reform and English Reformations, c.1535–c.1585. – (Catholic
Christendom, 1300–1700)
1. Reformation – England 2. Reformation – Italy 3. England – Relations – Italy
4. Italy – Relations – England
I. Title
274.2’06
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Overell, M. Anne.
Italian Reform and English Reformations, c.1535–c.1585 / by M. Anne Overell.
p. cm. — (Catholic Christendom, 1300–1700)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-7546-5579-4 (alk. paper)
1. Reformation—England. 2. Reformation—Italy—Influence. 3. England—
Relations—Italy. 4. Italy—Relations—England. I. Title.
BR375.O94 2008
274.2’06—dc22
2007050604
ISBN 978-0-7546-5579-4
Contents
Series Editor’s Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix
Abbreviations used in Text and Bibliography xi
Note on Citation, Spelling and Translation xiii
Introduction 1
1 Englishmen and spirituali 17
2 Bernardino Ochino in London 41
3 Edward Courtenay and Il Beneficio di Cristo 61
4 The Italian Connection at Edward VI’s Court 81
5 Peter Martyr Vermigli and his English Friends 103
6 Venetian Exile and English Propaganda 125
7 Pier Paolo Vergerio and Cardinal Pole 145
8 Elizabethan Aftermath, 1558–1572 167
9 A Literary Epilogue 189
Bibliography 213
Index 243
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Series Editor’s Preface
The still-usual emphasis on medieval (or Catholic) and reformation (or
Protestant) religious history has meant neglect of the middle ground,
both chronological and ideological. As a result, continuities between the
middle ages and early modern Europe have been overlooked in favor of
emphasis on radical discontinuities. Further, especially in the later period,
the identification of ‘reformation’ with various kinds of Protestantism
means that the vitality and creativity of the established church, whether in
its Roman or local manifestations, has been left out of account. In the last
few years, an upsurge of interest in the history of traditional (or catholic)
religion makes these inadequacies in received scholarship even more
glaring and in need of systematic correction. The series will attempt this
by covering all varieties of religious behavior, broadly interpreted, not just
(or even especially) traditional institutional and doctrinal church history.
It will to the maximum degree possible be interdisciplinary, comparative
and global, as well as non-confessional. The goal is to understand religion,
primarily of the ‘Catholic’ variety, as a broadly human phenomenon,
rather than as a privileged mode of access to superhuman realms, even
implicitly.
The period covered, 1300–1700, embraces the moment which saw
an almost complete transformation of the place of religion in the life of
Europeans, whether considered as a system of beliefs, as an institution,
or as a set of social and cultural practices. In 1300, vast numbers of
Europeans, from the pope down, fully expected Jesus’s return and the
beginning of His reign on earth. By 1700, very few Europeans, of whatever
level of education, would have subscribed to such chiliastic beliefs. Pierre
Bayle’s notorious sarcasms about signs and portents are not idiosyncratic.
Likewise, in 1300 the vast majority of Europeans probably regarded
the pope as their spiritual head; the institution he headed was probably
the most tightly integrated and effective bureaucracy in Europe. Most
Europeans were at least nominally Christian, and the pope had at least
nominal knowledge of that fact. The papacy, as an institution, played a
central role in high politics, and the clergy in general formed an integral
part of most governments, whether central or local. By 1700, Europe was
divided into a myriad of different religious allegiances, and even those areas
officially subordinate to the pope were both more nominally Catholic in
belief (despite colossal efforts at imposing uniformity) and also in allegiance
than they had been four hundred years earlier. The pope had become only
one political factor, and not one of the first rank. The clergy, for its part,
viii SERIES EDITOR’S PREFACE
had virtually disappeared from secular governments as well as losing much
of its local authority. The stage was set for the Enlightenment.
Thomas F. Mayer,
Augustana College
Acknowledgements
As a latecomer to the community of sixteenth-century historians, I have found
friendship and generosity beyond all expectation. Behind the list of names that
follows are the well-timed moments of encouragement, informative emails
and tactful criticisms that made this book possible. So, I record my inadequate
thanks: to John McDiarmid, whose scholarly comments on several chapters
were invaluable; to Susan Doran and Tom Freeman, who have most generously
read and reacted to whole chapters; also to Margaret Aston, Kenneth Austin,
Susan Brigden, Ruth Chavasse, Elizabeth Evenden, Dermot Fenlon, Bruce
Gordon, Peter Marshall, Charlotte Methuen, Letizia Panizza, Patrick Preston,
Alex Ryrie, Bill and Sarah Sheils, David and Pamela Selwyn, Tracey Sowerby,
Mark Taplin, Alexandra Walsham and Michael Williams for their painstaking
and imaginative aid. The text that follows did not grow directly out of a thesis,
but Diarmaid MacCulloch, Ole Grell and Jonathan Woolfson, examiners for
my doctorate by published work, gave so much practical and generous help that
a book began to seem achievable. I thank all my colleagues for helping more
than they know: of course, mistakes will remain and they are mine alone.
At various stages on my career path Rosemary O’Day, Penry Williams and
Anthony Wright were wise and witty teachers and supervisors. Tom Mayer
is a most affirmative series editor: I cannot count the number of times I have
drawn on his immense knowledge. I have also benefited much from the editorial
wisdom and friendly guidance of Tom Gray and Ann Allen of Ashgate. My
thanks are due to many librarians in Britain and Italy, but especially to the
staff of the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds, the Open University
Library and the Archivio di Stato in Mantua. Research travel to Italy has been
supported for several years by the Open University and I record my gratitude.
Annamaria Basile, Antonella Cavazza, Chiara La Sala, Lara Mocellin and
Federica Sulas helped with language, translation, transcription and warm
hospitality; Timothy Jarrold offered careful reading and many insights. I am
also very grateful indeed to all my friends for tolerating me and my strange
subject; Jane Hunt’s constant support and Ailsa Swarbrick’s encouragement
and eagle eye were truly indispensable. Last, I record my loving thanks to my
family: its four very young members are a perfect diversion, whilst the adults,
Stephen and Olive, James and Helen, and Jan, all found time in their busy
lives to read, question, comment and care about the progress of this book.
I dedicate it to the memory of my husband, Alan Overell: he once said that
history was for the enhancement of life and I think he was right.
Michaelmas 2007