Ruth's Blog

Long before most people in Louth could read and write, the Churchwardens of St James’ Church were keeping detailed financial accounts.  Lincoln Record Society recently published the accounts for 1527-1570, edited by Dr Brian Hodgkinson.  To the people of the 16th century, these records were merely financial statements, but to us they give an insight into developments in the Church at that time.

With the accession in 1547 of Henry's son, Edward VI, the first fundamental changes were made.  The theology and liturgy of the Church became markedly Protestant.  Churches were obliged to take away and destroy all shrines, candlesticks, pictures and all other monuments of feigned miracles.  Therefore in 1547-48, the wall paintings in St James’ Church were obliterated with lime-wash.  In 1550-51, Mr Goodryk and others purchased the town’s plate of 543 ounces of gilt and 162 ounces of partial gilt, a total of about 20 kg.  In 1553-54, surplus ornaments were sold for £3 5s 4d.

Traditional religious texts were substituted with reformist literature.  Three new books were purchased:

• Book of Homilies, published in 1547: a collection of sermons which addressed key Protestant doctrines, intended to be read aloud in churches particularly by clergy who were not formally trained preachers.
• The Injunctions, issued in 1547: a set of instructions aimed at reforming the Church of England, moving it further in a Protestant direction - preaching in English not Latin, the use of an English Bible, and the removal of images and other Catholic practices.
• Book of the New Service: the official liturgy of the Church of England published in 1549, which became known as the Book of Common Prayer.

The Louth churchwardens were dutifully enacting the reforms demanded by the Edwardian Church.  An indication of the dissatisfaction felt by Louth’s parishioners is revealed in the dwindling Sunday collections.  However, by the end of Edward’s reign, collections were increasing, which suggests some acceptance of the changes.  An older conservative generation was perhaps being supplanted by younger, reform-minded parishioners.

With the accession of Queen Mary in 1553, there was a speedy response to directives permitting the return of Catholic services.  In 1554, the rood figures were restored in St James’, but the wall paintings were apparently not.

Queen Elizabeth, who came to the throne in 1558, re-established the Church of England's independence from Rome and re-introduced the Book of Common Prayer.  Elizabeth aimed to find a compromise that incorporated elements of both Catholicism and Protestantism.  It was not until 1566 that there was evidence in the Churchwardens’ accounts of the removal and sale of church fittings that had been re-installed under Queen Mary.  Boards inscribed with the Ten Commandments and The Lord’s Prayer were put up, and scriptures were painted on the rood loft.  In 1570, twelve years after the accession of Elizabeth, the last items from Mary’s reign were sold - two tabernacles taken down from St Peter’s choir.  This had been an unsettling period of profound shifts in religious doctrines.