Convocation of Clergy
The Convocation of clergy agree to pay extra taxation
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1531 in England
Explore 37 historical events and records for England in 1531.
Historical records for England in 1531
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 37 of 37 unique records.
37Unique records
1 of 1Page
31Named events on this page
17Named people on this page
4Places on this page
January
Taxation
The Convocation of clergy agree to pay extra taxation
February
Reform of Church-State Relations
Henry wants to be, "sole protector & supreme head of the English Church & clergy"
Reform of Parliament
Parliament makes Henry VIII Supreme Head of the Church in England
Royal Supremacy
Convocation recognises Henry VIII as supreme head of the English Church so far as the law of Christ allows.
Clergy Recognise Royal Headship
The English clergy acknowledge Henry as singular protector and supreme head of the Church, qualified by the phrase allowed by the law of Christ.
Dissolution
On failing famously to receive his desired annulment from the Pope, Henry had himself declared Supreme Head of the Church in England in February 1531
Praemunire
The clergy accept a heavy fine after being charged with praemunire for recognising Wolsey's legatine authority.
May
Salt Pension Treaty Ratified
Ratifies the agreement converting the French salt obligation into cash and authorises the corresponding receipt arrangements.
June
Arrest of Adam Travers
Supporter of Catherine in the Lower House of Convocation. Indicted for praemunire by Cromwell
Arrest of John Baker
Supporter of Catherine in the Lower House of Convocation
Arrest of Peter Ligham
Supporter of Catherine in the Lower House of Convocation. Indicted for praemunire by Cromwell
Arrest of Robert Clyff
Supporter of Catherine in the Lower House of Convocation. Indicted for praemunire by Cromwell
Arrest of Rowland Philips
Supporter of Catherine in the House of Convocation, indicted for praemunire
Arrest of Thomas Pelles
Supporter of Catherine in the House of Convocation, indicted for praemutire
July
Marriage
Henry VIII separates from Catherine & banishes her from court
Marriage
Henry VIII separates from Catherine & banishes her from court
Separated from Catherine
Mary is separated from Catherine of Aragon as Henry pressures the royal household
September
Kings Council
By the autumn of 1531, Cromwell had taken control of the supervision of the King's legal and Parliamentary affairs, working closely with Thomas Audley and had joined the inner circle of the Council
November
Death of Henry VIII
Death of Thomas Wolsey, on the way to London to answer charges of treason
Treason
Death of Thomas Wolsey, on the way to London to answer charges of treason
Other events (month unknown)
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Winchester, 1st term
Chief Justice
Appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas
Convocation Pays Praemunire Fine
Convocation accepts a heavy financial settlement after clergy are threatened under praemunire, increasing royal leverage over the English Church.
Divorce
Does not resign because More still believes that Catherine can win her case in Council
Invasion of England
Henry raises extra money from the clergy because of threats of invasion from Charles V
Kings Council
By the autumn of 1531, Cromwell had taken control of the supervision of the King's legal and Parliamentary affairs, working closely with Thomas Audley and had joined the inner circle of the Council. Appointed Member of King's Council
Legislation
The Act of Appeals prevents the clergy from appealing to Rome. Act abolishing benefit of Clergy for those charged with murder or robbery
Marriage
Given the task by Henry VIII to present the divorce in both House of Parliament
Peerage
Birth of Thomas Butler
Reform of Church-State Relations
The Act of Appeals prevents the clergy from appealing to Rome. Act abolishing benefit of Clergy for those charged with murder or robbery
Reform of Church-State Relations
Attempts to resign after being forced to take an oath declaring the king the Supreme Head of the English Church "as far as the law of Christ allows"
Serjeant
Apppointed Serjeant-at-law and King's Serjeant
Sermons before Henry VIII
Preaches before Henry VIII and gains royal notice.
Supreme Head of Church of England
Attempts to resign after being forced to take an oath declaring the king the Supreme Head of the English Church "as far as the law of Christ allows"
Taxation
Henry raises extra money from the clergy because of threats of invasion from Charles V
Trial
Revives the Commons anticlerical grievance procedures of 1529
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.