Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Acts of Succession & Supremacy,1534 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How Important were the Acts of Succession and Supremacy in 1534? - Summary
In 1534, two important laws were passed in England: the Acts of Succession and Supremacy. These laws had a significant impact on England's religious and political identity. The Act of Succession solidified Henry's break from the Catholic Church, which prevented him from divorcing Catherine. It undermined the claim to the throne of Mary, his and Catherine of Aragon's daughter. The Act of Supremacy made Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This meant that the king, not the Pope, had the final say in religious matters in England. It allowed Henry to control the Church and its resources. By separating from the Catholic Church and establishing himself as the head of the Church of England, Henry VIII gained more power and control over his kingdom. However, these acts also sparked resistance and conflict. Many people remained loyal to the Catholic Church. |
The Act of Succession
The Act of Succession stated who should become the next monarch of England
Aspects and impacts of the Act of Succession
Key aspects of the Act of Succession | Impact on the Church and people |
|---|---|
Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon was unlawful. His marriage to Anne Boleyn was lawful and she was the rightful Queen of England | This rejected the Pope's decision that Henry was still married to Catherine. Henry removed the Pope's name from all prayer books in England |
Mary, Henry's daughter with Catherine, was declared illegitimate. Henry's daughter with Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth, and further children with Anne were legitimate heirs | Many people would not want Mary or Elizabeth to be monarchs because they were women |
The Act of Supremacy
The Act of Supremacy made it clear who was in charge of the Church in England
Aspects and impacts of the Act of Supremacy
Key aspects of the Act of Supremacy | Impact on the Church and people |
|---|---|
Henry became the Supreme Head of the English Church | Henry had undermined the authority of the Pope |
Henry had the power to decide the beliefs and organisation of the Church. He could appoint whoever he wanted to key church positions | Henry controlled all Church property and wealth. He created the Court of Augmentations and the Court of the First Fruits and Tenths. It did little to affect the day-to-day running of the Church. The Pope had generally agreed with who the king chose for clergy positions. The king rather than the Pope usually decided on church court appeals |
How Did Cromwell Enforce the Acts?
The Act of Supremacy named Cromwell as the Vicar-General
Cromwell was a Vicegerent in all religious matters in England
Henry tasked Cromwell to deter anyone in England from speaking out against:
Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and his marriage to Anne Boleyn
England's split from Rome
Henry's authority over the Church in England
Cromwell passed laws to frighten people into complying with the Acts of Succession and Supremacy
Laws to enforce the Acts of Succession and Supremacy
Law | Which act did it support? | How did it support the act? |
|---|---|---|
Oath of Succession | Act of Succession | This was a clause in the Act of Succession. It required everyone, including clergymen, to promise that they supported Anne Boleyn as Queen of England. If someone refused to take the oath, they would be accused of treason. This crime was punishable by death |
The Treason Act 1534 | Act of Supremacy | In 1534, Henry expanded the definition of treason to include speaking out or not accepting Henry's supremacy over the Church. People who did not respect Henry's supremacy could be hung, drawn and quartered |
Worked Example
Describe one feature of the Act of Succession (1534)
2 marks
Answers:
One feature of the Act of Succession was the impact on his potential heirs (1). The act stated that Mary was illegitimate because his marriage to Catherine of Aragon was deemed unlawful (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
When answering the ‘Describe one feature of…’ question, two marks are given to you for:
Identify - write a relevant point based on the question topic (1)
Describe - add some specific own knowledge about the point you have made (1)
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
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