A2 FP1 & 2 : Impact of Religious change ; Puritans and Catholics [UNFINISHED] Flashcards
Catholic Threat - Historiography
What did Christopher Haig say about the strength of Catholicism in England by 1603?
Christopher Haig is of the opinion that “Catholicism had been the religious of a large majority of english people, by the end of Elizabeth’s reign it was the faith of a small sect… within 2 generations the catholics had dwindled to numerical insignificance.”
Catholic Threat - Early Years
What was the immediate impact of the Religious Settlement on English Catholics?
- Catholic Bishops were deprived of office,
- Altars were replaced with Communion Tables,
- Oaths of Loyalties had to be sworn to Elizabeth
- Catholics were fined a shilling if they failed to attend Church.
Catholic Threat - Early Years
In the first ten year’s of Elizabeth’s reign, how did Catholics react to the religious settlement?
In 1558 most Catholics were prepared to wait and see what would happen to the national religion, but the majority of Catholics were loyal to Elizabeth. However, extreme Roman Catholics did not join Elizabeth’s new Church and many fled overseas.
In the first ten years of her reign, Elizabeth was happy to concede to Catholics and turn a blind eye to their practices.
Catholic Threat - Turning Point
What happened in 1570 that changed how Elizabeth and the Catholics interacted?
In 1570 Elizabeth was excommunicated and the Papal Bull declared that Catholics must depose her. This made duel loyalty impossible for English Catholics.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
When was the Catholic Threat at its highest for Elizabeth?
The Catholic Threat was highest between 1574 and 1580 as English Seminary and Jesuit Priests arrived in the country, strengthening Catholic forces.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
How many missionary priests had arrived in England by 1590?
100
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
When was the Act ‘To retain the Queen’s Majesty’s subjects in their due obedience’?
The ‘Act to Retain the Queen’s Majesty’s subjects in their due obedience’ was in 1581.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
What did the ‘Act to retain the Queen’s Majesty’s subjects in their due obedience’ enforce?
In the 1581 Act, saying mass could result in a fine of 200 marks and a year’s imprisonment. Failure to attend Church became a £20 a month.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
What was the 1581 Act in response to?
The 1581 Act was in reaction to the 1571 Ridolfi Plot and the arrival of Missionary Priests in England.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
When did Catholicism become less of a threat?
After the death of Mary Queen of Scots in 1587 and defeat of the Armada in 1588 Catholicsm became less of a threat.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
What did the legislation passed in 1585 enforce?
In 1585 legislation passed made Catholic missionaries automatically guilty of treason.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
What was the state of Catholicism at the end of Elizabeth’s reign?
With a combination of harsh laws and the wish of most catholics to remain as loyal subjects to the crown, Catholicism had become less of a threat at the end of Elizabeth’s reign?
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
By 1603 what percentage of the population were catholic sympathisers and what percent of the population were actively practising?
10% Catholic sympathisers.
2% actively practising.
Catholic Threat - Change and Continuity.
How many Catholics were executed between 1558 and 1576, how did this change by 1590s?
1558 - 1570 –> no executions
1590 - 1603 –> 88 inclusing 53 priests.
Purtian Threat
What grievances did the puritans have with the 1559 Religious Settlement?
- Puritans believed that the religious settlement was a ‘Middle Way’ and they were dissatisfied with the compromise.
- For them the old Roman Catholic Church was corrupt and too many of its traditions were based on superstition, not the Bible.
- They were angry about the continued existence of bishops and the vestments worn by the Anglican clergy.
Purtian Threat - Change and continuity
What did Puritans strongly object to in the Settlement?
Puritans strongly objected to that which they deemed ‘popish’ particularly the wearing of clerical dress.
Purtian Threat - Change and continuity
Puritan refusal to wear clerical dress - what were the initial vs later rections?
Initially, few attempts were made to enforce the wearing of clerical dress
However, increasingly Elizabeth and her Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker came to see the refusal to wear clerical dress as an attack on their authority.
1566, Matthew Parker issued the Advertisements requiring conformity in clerical dress. In London, thirty-seven ministers refused to obey - a number were deprived of their livings when they would not submit.
Purtian Threat - Change and continuity
How did Elizabeth view the actions of the puritans?
She viewed them with suspicion, seeing the movement as a threat to her royal authority.
