5.1 Elizabeth - Religion Flashcards

1
Q

what were the four main pieces of religious legislation during the reign of Elizabeth?

A
  1. supremacy 1559: Papal supremacy rejected, heresy law repealed, powers of visitation revived, Elizabeth became Supreme Governor and oath of supremacy to be taken.
  2. Act of Uniformity – single Book of Common Prayer (modified version of the Cranmer prayer book of 1552 – it contained some elements of the 1549 Prayer Book too). Variations in Eucharistic belief were possible, black rubric removed
  3. Injunctions of 1559 – suppression of superstition, Eucharist should be performed at a simple table, not an altar, pilgrimages and candles dismissed as ‘fantasies’. Parish churches had to have a bible in English
  4. 1563 – 39 Articles of Religion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what domestic factors influenced Elizabeth’s religion?

A
  • she had been brought up protestant by her tutor, Robert Ascham
  • she was influenced by Catherine Parr
  • there was a religious split in the privy council (Dudley was more extreme, Cecil was more moderate)
  • at the beginning of her reign about 80% of the population were Catholic and the other 20% protestant
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what foreign factors influenced Elizabeth’s religion?

A
  • her religious policies were taking place during the religious counter-reformation with a big Catholic push-back against Protestants
  • they were working to improve the Catholi image with less corruption
  • there were ongoing religious civil wars which made Elizabeth particularly conscious to avoid this in England (French Wars of Religion and the War in the Netherlands against Philip)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

when was the Elizabethean settlement?

A

1559-1563

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what legislation made up the Elizabethean settlement?

A
  • the act of supremacy, 1559
  • the act of uniformity, 1559
  • royal injunctions, 1559
  • the act of exchange, 1559
  • 39 articles of faith, 1563
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what was the Act of Supremacy?

A
  • she reversed Mary’s pro-papal policies
  • compromised and used the title ‘supreme governor’ instead of ‘supreme head’ (to satisfy those who thought a woman could not lead the church)
  • legislation from HVIII’s reign was restored and heresy laws introduced under Mary were revoked

  • clergymen, church officials and anyone with a position of authority had to take an oath to the supremacy
  • around 2000 clergymen refused to take the oath
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what was the Act of Uniformity?

A

the rigid structure of the church was maintained
- bishops, deans, priests etc.

she set out the appearance of the church
- altars to be replaced by communion tables (later revoked) but crucifixes and ornaments can still be put on them
- priests were still allowed to wear vestments

set out the nature of church services
- hybrid of the 1549 Prayer Book and the 1552 Prayer Book which was a bit of a cop out
- she did get rid of the black rubric (the practice of kneeling in front of the bread and wine)

there were fines imposed on those who did not attend CoE services
- non-attenders known as recuscants

the act, due to its ambiguity, became known as the via media or middle way

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what five royal injunctions were issued?

A
  1. preachers had to be licensed
  2. preachers had to preach at least once a month to be licensed
  3. every parish had to have and Enlgish bible
  4. outlawed pilgrimages
  5. altars could not be destroyed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what were the 39 articles of faith?

A
  • it was suppoesed to be a definitive statement of what Anglicanism actually means but it was more just a list of the legislation passed
  • it was made an act of parliament in 1571 after the rebellion of the Northern Earls in 1569
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what was the act of exchange?

A
  • any church contributions to Rome would now remain in England
  • Elizabeth could also take over the property belonging to bishops and force them to rent land to her (as she was very short of money because of Mary’s war in France)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what were immediate domestic reactions to the settlement?

A
  • the nature of the via media approach meant reaction was fairly muted
  • 400 members of the clergy did resign and all Catholic bishops appointed by Mary lost or left their positions fairly quickly meaning she could appoint bishops more supportive of the settlement
  • there weren’t any unusually high emigration stats unlike in Mary’s reign
  • in a 1564 survey of JPs only about half were reliably backing up the settlement

overall the reaction is pretty calm though

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what were foreign reactions to the Elizabethean settlement?

A

Spain
- Philip II was prepared to give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt (arrogant?) thinking she would quickly be won back to Catholic status

France
- Henry II of France died unexpectedly this year
- Francis II came to the throne and married MQS giving the feeling England was surrounded by Catholic powers
- but then Francis II dies descending the country into the wars of religion
- issue for providing aid for Elizabeth but also means France is preoccupied

Scotland
- the Scottish protestant nobility rebelled against the regency under Marie de Guise
- Elizabeth was persuaded by Cecil to send support ending in 1560 with the treaty of Edinburgh, French troops withdrawn from Scotland

Overall
- threat from the French/Scottish but it was resolved
- Philip too arrogant to be bothered

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Catholic reactions to the settlement 1560-1570?

A
  • latin was found to still be used in local areas
  • not huge evidence of recusancy fines (fines were 1 shilling which was a large sum of money for anyone below the gentry) but if the JP was Catholic it was unlikely they would enforce it
  • in 1563 an act was passed claiming all office holders had to take an oath to the supremacy or face the death penalty but no one was ever asked twice…
  • no priests were executed for saying mass seeming to suggest authorities weren’t cracking down on religion

  • in 1563 Elizabeth allows for the production of Foxe’s book of martyrs
  • instead of persecuting Catholics she is deploying propoganda against them
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Catholic reaction to the settlement from 1567-1572?

A

saw a massive rise in the fear of Catholicism

1567:
- the pope instructs catholics not to attend anglican services
- the arrival of the Duke of Alva in the Netherlands causes anxieties

1568:
- MQS arrives in England, potential Catholic contender for the throne
- Catholic missionary priests arrive from Douai in the Netherlands

1569:
- rebellion of the northern earls (earl of Westmoreland and Northumberland)
- wanted to get MQS on the throne by trying to marry her to the Earl of Norfolk
- rebellion received popular support, mass was heard at Durham cathedral
- Catholicism has now become a threat to dynastic security as a result Elizabeth reinstitues the Council of the North

1570:
- Pope Pius V excommunicates Elizabeth meaning no Catholic owes loyalty to her, anyone opposing her would be commended

1571:
- Ridolfi plot involving the Spanish ambassador for England and MQS (he is subsequently expelled from England
- Liz introduces a new treasons act, if you denied her supremacy or published the pope’s excomunnication order you could receive the death penalty

1572:
- massacre of St Bartholomew’s in Paris demonstrating violent potency of religious conflict

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what impact did the Douai priests have?

A
  • the Catholic Douai priests were set up in 1568 but the majority start to arrive in the 1570s
  • in 1580-85 179 arrive
  • this suggests a lot of gentry houses were holding them (although it would have been hard for them to travel and most likely would have stayed in the south where they arrvived
  • in 1585 an act was passed saying the act of being a Catholic priest could incur the death penalty
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what was the Catholic reaction to the settlement in the 1580s?

A

jesuits start arriving from 1580

1581 and act is passed: ‘the act to retain the Queen’s Majesty’s subjects in their due obedience’
- this made withdrawing allegiance from the Queen or the CoE an act of treason
- saying mass was punishable by death
- fine for non-attendance increased to £20 a month from 1 shilling in the 1560s
- 4 priests were executed in 1581 and 11 in 1582 e.g. the figured Jesuit in England Edward Campion arrived 1580 and was executed 1581

1585 another act: ‘the act against Jesuits and Seminary Priests’
- made it treasonable for anyone ordained under the Pope to enter England
- 1586-1603 123 priests were convicted under this act

1587 recusancy laws tightened even further
- failure to pay recusancy fine could see exchequer seize 2/3 of your property

  • Throckmorton plot 1583
  • Babington plot 1586
  • Mary’s execution 1587
16
Q

what were the effects of the settlement on the wider population later in Elizabeth’s reign?

A
  • most Catholics still remained loyal to Elizabeth/the state
  • aside from the rebellion of the Northern Earls other plots didn’t gain much traction
  • no one supported the Armada when it sailed in 1588 and any subsequent Armadas
  • for most ordinary people the settlement didn’t actually affect them that much and it was easier to conform in the interests of finance, employment, community etc.
  • by 1603 around 10% of the population were active recusants and 80% of the population was protestant
17
Q

what were the three main strands of puritans under Elizabeth?

A
  1. moderate puritans: similar to continental puritans (Lutherans)
  2. Presbyterians: wanted to simplify the structure of the CoE, they didn’t like rituals e.g. the signing of the cross, movement was popular in Scotland
  3. Separatists: more radical, wanted to break away from the CoE and pursue a more radical reformation, the most threatening
18
Q

what was the Vestarian controversy?

A
  • in 1565 Archbishop Parker reminded the clergy to follow the Act of Uniformity, particularly in their outward apparel
  • in 1566 there was the book of advertisements that insisted the clergy wear a particular type of vestment
  • 37 clergymen refused, all from London and they were all fired
  • Parker ‘watered down’ his book and admitted that there was nothing in the Bible telling a priest what to wear
19
Q

what are the highlights from the presbyterian movement?

A
  • Thomas Cartwright gave a series of radical lectures that was debated in parliament and led to the 39 articles of faith becoming law
  • John Field’s ‘admonitions to the parliament’
  • Prophesyings poorly dealt with by Bishop Grindel
  • Whitgift becomes archbishop, supports Elizabeth
  • issued the three articles in 1583
  • presbyterianism declines at the end of the 1580s after Joh Fields died in 1589
20
Q

who was Thomas Cartwright and what did he do?

A
  • a professor of divinity at Cambridge
  • he gave a series of lectures advocating Calvin’s Geneva model of the church
  • the abolition of bishops and basically removing the Catholic structure of the church entirely
  • horrified Elizabeth as it was too extreme and the system of the church was needed to maintain social control
  • it was debated in the commons in 1571 which shocked most MPs and caused them to make the 39 articles of faith into law
21
Q

who was John Field and what did he do?

A

in 1572 he produced a book called ‘admonitions to the parliament’
- it attacked the book of common prayer
- it also criticised the structure of the church reviving the case for abolishing bishops
- Elizabeth reacted by imprisoning him for a year

22
Q

what happened in 1576?

A
  • Elizabeth gave parliament instructions not to debate religion without her permission
  • MPs who challenged this were put in the tower
23
Q

what was the issue with prophesyings?

A
  • it was when people gathered to listen to preachers
  • this meant controlling the message they were spreading was challenging
  • so in 1576 Elizabeth instructed Archbishop Grindel to deal with it
  • he came to the conclusion that it wasn’t a threat therefore didn’t carry out her instructions to suppress them
  • Elizabeth put him under house arrest until he died and issued instructions banning prophesying
24
Q

when did Archbishop Whitgift become Archbishop?

A
  • in 1583
  • he was a big supporter of Elizabeth and the Church of England
25
Q

what was the three articles of faith?

A

it was issued in 1583 and instructed the clergy to:
- acknowledge the royal supremacy
- accept the book of common prayer
- accept the 39 articles of faith

26
Q

what was the issue with the three articles of faith?

A
  • 300 southern ministers were suspended as a result of complaining about them
  • letters from local gentry complained about it to parliament
  • the main issue was with accepting the book of common prayer, arguing that it had no clear link to the bible
  • whitgift was therefore pressured by Walsingham and Dudley to reword it to accepting its existence rather than its meaning
  • Whitgift’s strategy didn’t really work out as those opposing it weren’t extremists and not really a threat
  • the vast majority were not willing to resign their posts as a result
27
Q

why did presbyterianism decline?

A
  • John Fields died in 1589 which left them with no leader
  • their reputation was worsened by extreme separatists who made all puritans seem like a threat
  • there were also a lot of protestant sects with a lack of a unified message
  • the longevity of the settlement undermined their cause
28
Q

who was Anthony Cope

A

in 1587 he tried to make a bid for a more Calvinist prayer book but he was put in the tower of London

29
Q

who were the separatists?

A
  • the most threatening group of protestants
  • they wanted to break away entirely from the Act of Uniformity
30
Q

who were the brownists?

A
  • one of many separatist groups, just the best documented
  • formed in 1580 by Robert Brown in Norwich
  • wrote a treatise called ‘the treaty of reformation without tarrying any’
  • he criticised the CoE because it still had Catholic traces
  • he preferred ‘voluntary gatherings of saints’
  • in 1583 two brownists, Copping and Thacker were hanged for distributing Brownist pamphlets
31
Q

what were the Martin Marprelate Tracts

A
  • from 1588-89
  • a bitter attack on the church particularly targeting bishops
  • an underground publication
  • used VERY foul language that shocked many and damaged the separatist movement
  • influential protestants tried to distance themselves from it
  • Cartwright and his associates were hauled before the Court of high Commission to be questioned
  • the document had seemed to convince the privy council that the document was something to be worried about
32
Q

who was Richard Hooker

A

in 1593 he wrote ‘the laws of ecclesiastical polity’ in defence of the Church of England

33
Q

what are six reasons for the survival of the religious settlement?

A
  1. parliament: were against extremists and provided support seen through the treason act, act against jesuits, seminaries, sectaries etc.
  2. support from the archbishop: John Whitgift was a strong supporter of the Church of England and backed up the religious settlement
  3. people felt pressured to conform combined with economic motivations e.g. avoiding recusancy fines
  4. European context: no one wanted the religious civil wars going on elsewhere
  5. tension with Spain: Anglicanism was tied up with patriotism in the face of a Catholic Spanish threat
  6. the ambiguos nature of the via media/middle way
34
Q

what are highlights from the separatist movement?

A
  • the Brownists
  • Martin Marprelate Tracts
  • act against seditious sectaries
  • ‘the laws of ecclesiastical polity’ - richard hooker
35
Q

what was the act against seditious secataries?

A
  • an act of parliament in 1593 to back up the religious settlement after the marprelate tracts were published
  • punishment could be as severe as execution