The Act in Restraint of Appeals in 1533 was the start of a political process that effectively transferred the power of the Catholic Church to the king, Henry VIII and his advisors and the government. The Act was passed by a Parliament and had listed its grievances against the Church as early as 1529. Rather than have a king foist the act on the people at a time when religion was a major factor in the lives of all people of the town, Thomas Cromwell came up with the idea of giving the act a political and democratic edge. By going through Parliament, it appeared as if the will of the people had been listened to in Parliament and represented the people. Therefore, no one could argue that just a few had imposed the act on the nation. Thomas Cromwell
