The Practice of Prelates: Tyndale's Papal Narrative and its German Model
John F. McDiarmid
Among the most interesting sections of William Tyndale's Practice Prelates (1530) is his account medieval papacy's rise to ecclesiastical primacy and temporal power. This account, in its structure, contents some imagery, closely follows a section an anonymous Reformation tract, Vom alten und nüen Gott, Glauben Ler (Basel, 1521). The two publications include parallel histories popes' dealings with Carolingian dynasty. However, papal narrative has somewhat different purpose orientation work than it does source. In story aggrandizement part exposition distortions Christianity, which text contrasts recovered Gospel reformers. Seeing difference should help 'all Chrysten men' find their way through religious upheavals early sixteenth century. Whereas Gott thus brings into relation dilemma all Christians, ultimately relates facing ,England, England's king. Practice, eighthcentury alliance Frankish rulers, often against Byzantine emperors, foreshadows Henry VIII's divorce proceedings, Tyndale believes Wolsey instigated as agent Franco-papal conspiracy emperor Charles V (Catherine Aragon's nephew) best interests. adopts Gott's narrative, but he also adapts own purposes-as did elsewhere material derived from other Continental texts.
Reformation