Articles, The Six

Articles, The Six, were imposed by act of parliament in 1539, when, Henry VIII. being displeased with some of the bishops most favourable to the Reformation, their opponents for a time regained the ascendancy. These articles asserted the doctrine of transubstantiation, declared communion in both kinds not to be necessary, condemned the marriage of priests, enjoined the continued observance of vows of chastity, and sanctioned private masses and anrricular confession. The act imposing them was popularly called 'the six-stringed whip.' Severe penalties were appointed for writing or speaking against them, and for abstaining from confession or the sacrament at the accustomed times, for priests failing to put away their wives, and for persons writing or speaking against the doctrine of transubstantiation. Archbishop Cranmer vainly opposed the act in the House of Lords: the king was resolute to have it passed. Its severity was mitigated by a subsequent act of his reign (1544), and although it continued substantially unrepealed, it was transgressed with impunity even by ecclesiastical dignitaries.