Church interiors
Furthermore, the new liturgy revolutionised the way space inside the parish church was used, as many of the physical barriers between priest and congregation were removed. Consequently the interiors of local churches took on the appearance that many have retained today.
'Anything valuable found its way into the King's Treasury, with the remainder simply smashed or burned.'
'Superstitious images' were the first to come under attack. Up and down England, pictures of saints, roods, relics and miracle-working statues were ripped out of parish churches and destroyed. Vestments, crucifixes, candlesticks, and altar plates soon followed. Even church bells weren't safe.
Anything valuable found its way into the King's Treasury, with the remainder simply smashed or burned. The effect on church interiors was catastrophic - having been brightly coloured and highly decorated, they suddenly became plain, white and unadorned.
The only image left was new - a large painted or carved royal coat of arms, on top of the screen where the rood had stood. Some traditionalists questioned whether it was appropriate to:
'... setteth up a dog and dragon [the supporters of Elizabeth I’s coat of arms] in place of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God and St John the Evangelist.'
But this was a very clear reminder of royal power over the Church, which now dictated the way people worshipped in their local parishes and the images they were permitted to view. In essence, the state had embarked on a programme of religious censorship over the people.
Published: 2005-02-07
