7. Divisions over religion 1629 - 40 Flashcards
Calvinists opinions on Arminianism and Puritanism
Able to tolerate moderate Arminianism and Puritanism as they shared much in common with their religion already. Newton argues that Arminianism was appealing as it was less demanding with an increased emphasis on decoration and ceremony which would be favoured by those who only went to church out of necessity. Radical Puritans were seen as being full of themselves and calling for harsh sermons and procedures.
Key features of Laudianism
-Emphasis on ceremony, music and decoration
-Vestments instead of robes
-The movement of the communion table to the east end of the church
-Removal of Gentry’s ornamental pews, upsetting PN
-Statements set out in the prayer book to be read, removing emphasis on the bible itself, upsetting Puritans
-Limiting on preaching, limited to Sundays. Attack on Feoffees for Impropriations, a Puritan group raising money for Puritan practices and preachers.
-Reissue of the book of sports in 1633 to counter pressure put on Calvinists by Puritans to not have fun on Sunday.
Laud appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
1633, made bishop of London in 1628
Visitations
Inspections of churches and clergy by bishops to ensure that Laudianism was being followed.
Charles I’s involvement in imposing Laudianism.
Many advisors and courtiers were Arminians and Laudianists, helping in it gaining influence and power. However, Puritans saw this as evidence of a Catholic conspiracy and corruption of the King. Especially helped by Henrietta Maria
Laudian Canons 1640
Passed to codify Laud’s measures, but had little effect due to alienation of moderate Calvinists by this point.
Puritanism
“Hotter sort of Protestants” - Collinson. Sought to remove decoration and ceremony from churches and increase emphasis on the bible. More radical beliefs made them more likely to rise against Charles’ policies.
Millenarianism
The doctrine of or belief in a future thousand-year age of blessedness, beginning with or culminating in the Second Coming of Christ. Made them more likely to act and saw Charles’ policies as testing their faith.
Puritan opposition to Charles’ personal rule
-St Gregory’s case saw parishioners of St Gregory’s church challenge communion table rule in 1933 due to removal of ornamental pews and decorated cloth being seen as catholic. Brought before privy council as a test case.
-John Williams criticised altar policy in 37 through pamphlet “The Holy Table, Name and Thing”. Regarded even word “Altar” as Catholic.
-Puritans Prynne, Burton and Bastwick we brought before court of star chamber and found guilty of criticising Lauds measures. Fined £5,000, imprisoned for life and had ears cropped. This upset the public as they were respected professionals.
-John Lilburne helped distribute Puritan works and in Feb 38 found guilty of printing unlicensed literature, was tied to a cart, dragged 2 miles and imprisoned.
-High immigration level.
Imposition of Laudianism in Scotland
In 1625, Charles took land from Scottish elites for the Church of Scotland and enforced observance of the Articles of Perth.
Religious division by 40
Morrill argues that Laudianism may not have been that bad in context of moderate Calvinists and it was the Puritan minority upset with Charles.
Charles enjoyed the Arminian doctrine as it promoted obedience to the monarch, which caused problems as seen by: (7)
1) Had Laud preach at the opening of 1625 Pment – went directly against the Synd of Dort 1619 (condemned Arminianism as heresy in German town) – so angered Pment
2) Used church to support Forced loan 1627 + 5 Knights case e.g. Robert Sibthorpe sermons justifying C’s actions – destabilised religious balance – puritans felt threatened, Laud even bypassed Abbot’s decision to not license these sermons
3) Three Resolutions 1629 complain about the growing Arminian faction (Fears of popish plot + absolutism) – anyone bringing Arminianism into the CofE is a ‘capital enemy’ of the king and the kingdom
4) 1625 Proclamation demanding observation to the Articles of Perth in Scotland (which emphasised power of the Church e.g. children trained in it) – order, hierarchy + royal prerogative (Arminian values) – fears of popish plot e.g. St Gregory’s case 1633
5) And further when 1636 – issued new canons in Scotland without the discussion with the general assembly of the Scottish kirk which enforced Laudian measures such as banning improvised prayer (these were signed off and written by Laud)
6) Millenarianism emerging – people though that Laudianism was advancing the end of the world – puritans (and increasingly moderates) felt more justified in trying to publicly stop its advancement
7) Iconoclasms began in 1640 – destruction/damage of icons (popish elements) in churches, focused on stained glass – associated with Laud + Catholicism – (but turned people against radical puritans – thought church + monarchy needed to maintain order established in moderate church)
Charles promoted uniformity and conformity, which caused problems as seen by: (4)
1) St Gregory’s case 1633 after Laudian measures enforced through visitations
2) 1629 – Charles ordered that catechizing (set Q + A) replaced sermons in parishes (uniformity) – fears of absolutism as C is seen to be restricting peoples freedom for people to be in line with his beliefs
3) Imposition of English prayer book in Scotland 1637 (on Laud’s guidance) which introduced bishops to Scotland – causing riots and bishops war as firmly rejected episcopal system – Presbyterians…
4) 1638 National Covenant (pledge) signed by 300,000 people protested religious changes imposed by Laud + Scottish Church assembled in Glasgow in Nov. 1638 and officially abolished the episcopal church – against C’s orders
C was tolerant to Catholics and very fond of his Catholic wife, which led to fears of a Popish Plot, as seen by: (9)
1) Laudianism imposed – popish elements e.g. beauty of holiness
2) Henrietta Maria’s catholic chapel – open to the public served by 28 priests and a bishop, children to be brought up as Catholics until they were 13
3) Number of crypto-Catholics in his court e.g. Francis Windebank - Court modelled on Spain (after trip in 1623) – makes fears seem legit + scary as he never calls Pment
4) St Gregory’s case 1633 – whole church congregation objected to Laudian changes
5) Emissary (letter of support) from the Pope Dec 1634 – publicly shows how tolerant he is to Catholics – first monarch since reformation to get this – angers puritans
6) Ambassador for the Pope George Con welcolmed at Court and took residence in England 1637
7) 1633 Coronation in Edinburgh – high church pomp and ceremony – offending scots almost as much as 7 years he took to get around to doing it
8) See Ten Propositions (in BoP)
9) Propaganda in Irish rebellion 1641 (see opposition) – saw as evidence of a popish plot
Charles enabled a strict suppression of Puritans in England as seen by: (4)
1) Court of Star chamber – case of Prynne, Burton and Bastwick 1637 – all university men of gentry status – ‘star chambered’ accused of sedition (encouraging unrest) + sentenced to be pilloried, branded and ears cropped – fined £5000 + imprisoned for life after publishing pamphlets attacking Laud and the Queen – increased fears of absolutism (esp. in PN) as no one can escape C’s wrath
2) Court of High Commission – (effectively run under laud) – prosecuted ‘persons of honour and great quality’ to punishments such as branding and mutilations for their crimes (handing out anti-Laudian pamphlets) + imposed censorship on pamphlets – Laud using gov. prerogatives to enforce conformity – isolated C + Lauds faction bc sometimes persecuting members of the PN
3) Laudian measures enforced through visitations
4) Feoffees for Impropriations (started in 1626) – puritan trustees who oversaw 30 parishes – banned by Laud in 1633 – took the land and money they had worked hard for (an attack of property) – fears gov. going too far
Key Individual under C: Laud (7)
1) Spoke highly of episcopal system in opening of 1626 Pment
2) Imposed Laudianism from 1633 – when Archbishop of Canterbury – policy of ‘Thorough’ measures codified in canon laws 1640
3) William Juxon’s appointment as Lord Treasurer 1636 was seen to be heavily influenced by Laud – felt he was overstepping his position and using patronage dangerously – creating a dangerous powerful inner circle for Charles – privy council felt even more unrepresentative of puritan values + increased fears of absolutism as Juxon was an Arminian
4) 1636 – issued new canons in Scotland without the discussion with the general assembly of the Scottish kirk which enforced Laudian measures such as banning improvised prayer (these were signed off and written by Laud)
5) Persuaded Charles to introduced Prayer book in Scotland 1636/7 – causing civil war
6) 1637 – Bishop Williams fined for attacking Laud’s altar policy
7) Impeached in 1640-41 (not executed until 1645)
