Challenges to Elizabeth's religious settlement

Question 1

What was the nature and extent of the Puritan challenge?

Answer 1

Puritans hoped the religious settlement
was the start of the Church of England
becoming even more Protestant. However,
as far as Elizabeth I was concerned,
England’s religion was settled and things
wouldn’t change.

It was not long before Puritan clergymen
began disobeying parts of the religious
settlement. For example, some wanted an
end to music in church, or wanted to stop
celebrating some holy days. This was a
direct challenge to Elizabeth I’s authority
as Supreme Governor of the Church
of England. The two biggest issues were
over crucifixes and vestments.

Question 2

What was the Crucifix Controversy?

Answer 2

Puritans, crucifixes represented idols.
However, Elizabeth liked them and she
wanted to keep them so as not to alarm
Catholics by changing the look of the
churches too much. She insisted that each
church should display a crucifix. When
some Puritan bishops threatened to
resign, the queen backed down.

Question 3

What was the Vestment Controversy?

Answer 3

Highly decorated vestments were too Catholic for
Puritans. Some thought they should have no special
clothing, others that it should be very plain and simple.

The Royal Injunctions said clergy must wear special
vestments, but by 1565 it was clear that some were
not doing so. In 1566, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Matthew Parker, invited 110 priests to London to show
them what they must wear. Thirty-seven refused to
attend and they lost their posts. The majority of priests,
however, agreed to wear the appropriate vestments, so
Elizabeth largely got her way

Question 4

What was the nature and extent of the Catholic Challenge?

Answer 4

In November 1569, the Catholic earls of Northumberland
and Westmorland led a rebellion in the north of England
against Elizabeth. It is known as the Revolt of the
Northern Earls.
The rebels marched south. By 22 November, they
controlled a large amount of land in the north-east of
England. One of the key events of the rebellion was the
taking of Durham Cathedral and the celebration of a full
Catholic mass at the cathedral.
The earls of Northumberland and Westmorland asked
the Catholic nobility to join them, but most refused
and stayed loyal to Elizabeth. Only the Duke of Norfolk
(Elizabeth’s distant cousin) was part of the plot.

Question 5

What was the nature and extent of the Catholic Challenge?

Answer 5

In November 1569, the Catholic earls of Northumberland
and Westmorland led a rebellion in the north of England
against Elizabeth. It is known as the Revolt of the
Northern Earls.
The rebels marched south. By 22 November, they
controlled a large amount of land in the north-east of
England. One of the key events of the rebellion was the
taking of Durham Cathedral and the celebration of a full
Catholic mass at the cathedral.
The earls of Northumberland and Westmorland asked
the Catholic nobility to join them, but most refused
and stayed loyal to Elizabeth. Only the Duke of Norfolk
(Elizabeth’s distant cousin) was part of the plot.