The Act of Supremacy of 1534

• It established that the Pope had no authority whatsoever over the religious aspects of the country.
• Moreover, the King also acquired the powers that were previously held by the Pope.
• The act was important for the power of both monarchy and Parliament.
• Henry VIII and Cromwell emphasised that the right to supremacy came from God and not Parliament.
• Nevertheless, the Parliament played an essential role in reinforcing the King's royal authority.

"Be it enacted by authority of this present Parliament that the King our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors kings of his realm, shall be taken, accepted and reputed the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia, and shall have and enjoy annexed and united to the imperial crown of this realm as well the title and style thereof, as all honours, dignities, pre-eminences, jurisdictions, privileges, authorities, immunities, profits and commodities, to the said dignity of supreme head of the same Church belonging and appertaining." From the Act of Supremacy of 1534

Why is the Act of Supremacy of 1534 Significant?

• Henry had control over the Church's income and wealth. He could sell the Church's property according to his wishes and tax them to raise money for the state.
• Henry could decide how to organise the Church's structure.
• The king was able to appoint whoever he wanted to high-ranking positions within the Church, such as bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

• 1532 Act in Conditional Restraint of Annates Submission of the Clergy
• 1533 Act in Restraint of Appeals
• 1534 Succession Act Treason Act
• 1536 Act for Extinguishing the Authority of the Bishop of Rome