ABSTRACT
The religious changes of Edward VI’s reign occurred in two main stages. The earliest measures of Somerset’s protectorship recast the Henrician measures, removing some of their residual protection of Catholic doctrine. These were followed by the dissolution of the chantries in 1547 and, in 1549, by a new Prayer Book and accompanying Act of Uniformity. When Somerset was replaced by Northumberland, who became Lord President of the Council in 1549, further changes were introduced. The Act against Books and Images was passed by Parliament in 1550, followed in 1552 by another Prayer Book with a second Act of Uniformity and, in 1553, by a redefinition of doctrine through the Forty-Two Articles.
