The phrase "act of supremacy" is spelled /ækt əv s(j)uːˈprɛməsi/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The "a" in "act" is pronounced as the short "a" sound, while the "o" in "of" is pronounced as the schwa sound. "Supremacy" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, where the "u" is pronounced as the long "u" sound, and "cy" is pronounced as "si." This phrase refers to the legislation passed in 1534 by King Henry VIII of England, which made him the head of the Church of England.
The term "Act of Supremacy" refers to a specific legislative act that was enacted in England in 1534 during the reign of King Henry VIII. The Act of Supremacy marked a significant turning point in English history as it established the monarch, specifically the reigning King or Queen, as the supreme head of the Church of England.
This act was passed as part of the larger English Reformation, which aimed to break away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. By declaring the monarch as the highest authority in religious matters, the Act of Supremacy subordinated the Pope's jurisdiction and granted the English sovereign the power to govern the affairs of the Church in England.
The Act of Supremacy had far-reaching consequences. It meant that religious decisions and appointments within the English Church, including the selection of bishops and other church officials, were subject to the approval and control of the monarch. Additionally, it required all subjects, including clergy and government officials, to take an oath recognizing the monarch's supremacy.
The Act of Supremacy remained in force throughout the Tudor period and beyond, becoming a defining feature of English religious and political life. It helped solidify England's break from Rome, laying the foundation for the establishment of the Church of England as a distinct entity separate from the Roman Catholic Church.