1604 Hampton Court Conference

Question 1

Who was involved? When was the conference?

Answer 1

James I and his 9 bishops led by Whitgift against 5 Puritans led by John Reynolds. The conference lasted three days in January 1604.

Question 2

Describe discussion..

Answer 2

Puritans proposed that presbyters should replace bishops, but James I hated their influence in Scotland and feared the repercussions of this. Bishops suggested that no reform should be made as a result of the Millenary Petition, to which James said there should be some. James wanted to reform existing institution as opposed to doctrines. He wanted to offer limited concessions in hopes he could identify conforming Puritans. Bancroft would deprive non-conforming people of their livings.

Question 3

What were the results?

Answer 3

• Less pluralism. The Churches would aim to have preaching ministers. To reduce pluralism, Universities could send men to become members of the clergy, though they required wages and were too expensive to keep.
• Reform of the Court of High Commissions alongside the roles clearly defined such as being involved in Church cases of heretical crime, people writing against prayer books and the church officials, crimes on grounds, and crimes committed by the clergy.
• The clergy had to resubscribe to the Thirty-Nine Articles agreeing to Communion with parishers kneeling, the cross symbol at Baptism, maintaining the hierarchy with Bishops at the top, then Priests, then the deacons…
• Bishops had to accept the HCC as Puritans had secular dioceses, (areas owned by the Catholics).
• A 1611 translation of the Bible, officially released by James.