Five
Women of the English Reformation by Paul F. M. Zahl
This compelling volume puts the spotlight
on five strong and intellectually gifted women who paid for their commitment to
Protestant Christianity with imprisonment, exile, and martyrdom.
Paul Zahl vividly tells the stories of five mothers of the sixteenth-century English Reformation: Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Jane Grey, Anne Askew, and Catherine Willoughby. All of these women were powerful theologians intensely interested in the religious concerns of their day. All byt Anne Boleyn left behind a considerable body of written work – excerpts of which are preserved in this book’s appendices. Underscoring these women’s theological achievements, Zahl also considers what their stories have to say about the relation of gender to theology, human motivation, and God. An important epilogue by Mary Zahl contributes a contemporary women’s view of these fascinating historical figures.
Paul Zahl vividly tells the stories of five mothers of the sixteenth-century English Reformation: Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Jane Grey, Anne Askew, and Catherine Willoughby. All of these women were powerful theologians intensely interested in the religious concerns of their day. All byt Anne Boleyn left behind a considerable body of written work – excerpts of which are preserved in this book’s appendices. Underscoring these women’s theological achievements, Zahl also considers what their stories have to say about the relation of gender to theology, human motivation, and God. An important epilogue by Mary Zahl contributes a contemporary women’s view of these fascinating historical figures.
I bought this book on a whim. As an admirer of Anne
Boleyn I saw in the blurb that the author had written about Anne and her
religious beliefs and I thought it would be an interesting to learn more about
Anne’s faith.
This book looks at five women of the English
Reformation – Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Jane Grey, Anne Askew and Catherine
Willoughby. Each chapter gives a brief history of the woman and then moves on
to talk about their religious beliefs, the evidence that we have surviving
which attests to their religious beliefs and how these beliefs helped to
further the cause of Reformation in England. On the surface this sounds quite
simple yet in reality I found the subject matter very heavy.
The author delves deeply into religious theology and
at times I felt quite overwhelmed trying to grasp the concepts he was speaking
about. Personally I have faith in God and Christ but I am not very familiar
with the Catholic faith. Zahl often spoke of theological ideas which I had to
read and then re-read to gain a deeper understanding.
He spoke of Anne Boleyn and Katherine Parr’s
religious beliefs and how they believed that religion and faith was through
justification through faith and grace and not so much on having to do good
works to earn Gods love. He moved on to speak of how Jane Grey and Anne Askew
also built on this idea by stating that they did not believe the actual body
and blood of Christ was in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Lastly he spoke
about Catherine Willoughby and how her beliefs took these ideas another step
further by speaking of how God was in control of all matters, both negative and
positive.
I did find it interesting to read about the personal
religious beliefs of each of these remarkable women and how their beliefs
changed and developed over the years. It was also utterly fascinating to read
how these extraordinary women clung to their faith even though facing great
hardship and suffering - especially in Anne Askew’s case where she was condemned
to death for her religious beliefs. It was awe inspiring to learn about a woman
who believed so strongly in her faith that she was willing to die for it. Most
certainly in many modern first would countries we are lucky that we do not have
to die for our religious beliefs – and yet it is so sad to think that some
people around the world still are dying for their beliefs.
In the Appendices of this book Zahl added several
interesting references of information including the examination of Anne Askew
and Jane Grey, part of Katherine Parr’s book “Lamentations of a Sinner” and
several letters written by Catherine Willoughby. Personally I found the
examination of Lady Jane Grey to be fascinating and just from reading this
account one can see what a strong woman she was, despite her young age and how
defiantly she clung to her religious beliefs.
Although I did enjoy this book I admit that I found
it a difficult read. The subject matter is quite heavy and I would probably
only suggest someone who is greatly interested in the English Reformation,
religious matters or Tudor women to read this book.
2 comments:
Hi Sarah, thank you for reading the book and sharing, I have difficulty with 'heavy books' so I'm glad you have explained it. I dont know much about Catherine Willoughby, I had wrongly assumed that she was a supporter of Catherine of Aragon and therefore of the Catholic faith. Was she a friend to AB I always thought not but maybe the reasons werent just religion. Please set me straight as I know you an a learned expert! x
Catherine Willoughby's mother was a lady in waiting (and/or) close friend of Catherine of Aragon and a Catholic - she supported Catherine through the divorce. Catherine Willoughby was a "Protestant" so to speak and very much of the new religion.
She wasn't a friend to Anne Boleyn but she was very good friends and shared many of the same religious beliefs as Catherine Parr :)
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