5.2 WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF THE TOLERATION ACT OF 1689 AND THE END OF ANGLICAN SUPREMACY?

Question 1

In early 1689 what did William urge the removal of?

Answer 1

the removal of the Sacramental test act for public office holders = meant repealing the test act (Expected all office holders to take the Anglican Communion)

Question 2

What was the Toleration Act 1689?

Answer 2

Compromise after William wanted to repeal the Test Act, passed by reluctant Tories

• Freed dissenters from punishment if they took an oath of allegiance to the Crown and accepted the 1678 Test Act
• They were not expected to attend Anglican church but their meetings were monitored
• Dispensations given to certain groups like the Quakers
• William remained head of the church so was free to mould the religious settlement in line with his own ideas

Question 3

result of toleration act (statistics)

Answer 3

by 1714 - 400,000 dissenters in England

Question 4

The impact of the act on

• dissenters
• Catholics
• political impact
• On Anglican clergy

Answer 4

1 —> Dissenters
Exempt from punishment if they took the oath of allegiance to the crown + NOT accepted to attend Anglican church BUT still had to pay tithes.
2 —> Catholics
Excluded. Did not swear OA to the Anglican Church. Could not attend uni, work in legal professions or practice med. Not scared of W cause he got an alliance with number of catholic powers against France.
3 —> Political impact
Tories+ high clergy attacked ‘not loyal’ to William. William got an alliance with number of catholic powers against France.
4 —> Anglican clergy
Served to humiliate the Anglican clergy and Tories in Commons. Whigs insisted Clergy to take an OA TO W&M. They already OA to James. They believed in the concept of passive obedience. Over 400 parish priests refused and were deprived of their livings. Replaced by more moderate men, sympathetic to the Whigs cause.

Question 5

Make a list of (at least) 5 arguments that the Anglican Church and the idea of a confessional state had be undermined by 1701?
( Historian Chris Hill argues that the role of religion in local gov and the legal sys was also reduced)

Answer 5

1. now accepted that CoE could not enforce complete uniformity and that some allowances had to be made for dissenters.
2. Dissenters Flourished and made up nearly 8% of the pop by 1714.
3. Catholic enjoyed a reasonable degree of freedom despite being excluded from the provisions of the Toleration act. - Were able to participate in mass without trouble
4. William used his authority to influence judges and curb Church interference in the lives of Catholics and dissenting sects not covered by the act.
5. The power of the church courts was seriously restricted by the Act
6. Tory attacks on dissenters afterwards were aimed at restricting their freedom and influence but not on reversing the grant of toleration

Question 6

Make a list of Arguments to support the idea that thhe Anglican church still maintained an important role after the Toleration Act?

Answer 6

1. Statutes enforcing Uniformity (test act and act of uniformity) were not repealed, public offices duty bound to swear OA.
2. To gain public employment or join P, had to swear OA and take Anglican communion
3. Acts in Scotland and Ireland weren’t passed until 1712 and 1719
4. There was no great theological debate bet MPs and peers before TA passed. It could be seen as reactionary attempt to maintain order and preserve the Anglican church.
5. There was still societal fear over religious radicalism, attempts to extend toleration through a Comprehension Bill were met with resistance

Question 7

How the evens in Scotland also contribute to Anglican Militancy in England?

Answer 7

As the Scottish Presbyterians in the succeeding weeks seized power and abolished episcopacy.

Question 8

As a Calvinist William was the object of Anglican sus about his intentions but on 16th march 1689 William made an ill advised speech in the house of lords in favour of what?

Answer 8

In favour of throwing open public offices to ‘all protestants that are willing and able to serve’ within few weeks of his accession he was proposing the repeal of Test a d Corporation Acts (this had united the political nation against his predecessor)

Question 9

William regretted what he said in the house of lords in 16th march what did he make his privy council say on?

Answer 9

On 9 April using a Whig Privy councillor as his spokesman, king tried to make amends by stressing he ‘was altogether of the judgement of the church of England’ = indicating he would listen to discuss plans for comprehension.