Elizabethan religious settlement Flashcards
Why was the term ‘Supreme Head’ avoided when Elizabeth became the Supreme Governor of the Church, and what was the consequence of denying her position in the Church?
- This made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church. The term ‘Supreme Head’ was avoided because Christ was seen as Head of the Church.
- There was a strict prohibition of foreign leadership in the English church, so denying Elizabeth’s position in the Church was considered treason
What was the purpose of the Act of Uniformity, and what challenges did Elizabeth face despite its broad support?
What was the purpose of the Act of Uniformity, and what challenges did Elizabeth face despite its broad support?
Act of Uniformity:
- Made Protestantism England’s official faith.
- Set rules for religious practice and worship using a revised prayer book.
- Retained some Catholic traditions as a compromise to maintain unity.
Support and Opposition:
- Broad support for the new settlement, with few refusing to take the oath of loyalty to Elizabeth.
- The compromise approach was mostly successful but faced opposition.
- Catholic opposition: Continued resistance from Catholics who rejected Protestantism.
- Puritan opposition: Extreme Protestants (Puritans) objected to any compromise with Catholic practices.
What laws did Elizabeth pass to reduce the Catholic threat, and what were their consequences for recusants?
1559 - Act of Uniformity:
- Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services (recusants) were fined a shilling a week for not attending church on Sundays or holy days.
1581 - Act to Retain the Queen’s Subjects in Their Due Obedience:
- Catholics who still refused to attend Protestant services faced a larger fine of 20 pounds per month (equivalent to thousands of pounds today).
- Anyone found trying to convert others to Catholicism was guilty of treason and could be executed.
What were the key factors that contributed to the Catholic threat to Elizabeth I’s reign, and how did she respond to these threats?
Fear of Catholic Plots:
- Despite strict laws, there was a constant threat of Catholic plots, often backed by foreign powers like Spain and France, both Catholic countries.
- In 1570, the Pope issued a Papal Bull of Excommunication against Elizabeth, encouraging plots to overthrow her.
- The Pope also urged Catholic priests to secretly convert people back to Catholicism in England.
- Catholic priests caught in England were executed for treason, such as Edmund Campion, who was executed in 1581.
- Mary, Queen of Scots was the main figurehead for Catholic plotters, as she had a claim to the English throne and was seen as a potential replacement for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s Response:
- Passed strict laws, such as the Act of Uniformity, to force Catholics to conform to Protestant practices.
- Increased punishments for recusants (those who refused to attend Protestant services), including heavy fines and even death for those found guilty of treason.
- Executed Catholic priests, such as Edmund Campion, who were found promoting Catholicism in secret.
when/who/actions on the Northern rebellion ? response ?
1569 - The Northern Earls’ Rebellion
- The Catholic Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland hatched a plan to get Mary, Queen of Scots out of jail and on to the throne.
- They gathered an army of 6,000 soldiers in their attempt to return England to Catholicism.
RESPONSE :
Elizabeth got wind of the plan and sent a huge army to crush the rebellion. Elizabeth put 800 rebels to death and the two Earls fled to Scotland.
when/who/actions on the Ridolfi plot ? response ?
1571 - The Ridolfi Plot
- Roberto Ridolfi, an Italian banker, planned to assassinate Elizabeth and make Mary queen.
- He had the support of King Philip II of Spain, the Duke of Norfolk, and Mary, Queen of Scots herself.
RESPONSE :
The plot was uncovered by Elizabeth’s advisor, Cecil. Ridolfi and the Spanish ambassador were arrested and expelled from the country.
when/who/actions on the Throckmorton plot ? respons ?
1583 - The Throckmorton Plot
- A young Catholic man, Francis Throckmorton, organised a plan for a French army (paid for by the Pope and King Philip II of Spain) to invade England and replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots.
RESPONSE :
Throckmorton was executed and Mary was moved to Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire, where she was held in isolation and allowed no visitors.
when/who/actions on the Babington plot ? response ?
1586 - The Babington Plot
- Sir Anthony Babington planned to rescue Mary, Queen of Scots from jail and murder Elizabeth.
- Secret letters between the plotters and Mary were discovered which gave Elizabeth’s advisers the evidence needed to prove Mary’s guilt.
RESPONSE :
This finally led to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots, Babington and six other plotters.
What actions did Elizabeth take in response to Walter Strickland’s proposal to reform the Prayer Book and ban clergy vestments in 1571?
1571 - Walter Strickland and the Vestarian Controversy:
- Puritan Threat: Walter Strickland, leader of the Puritans in Parliament, wanted to reform the Prayer Book and ban clergy vestments.
- Elizabeth’s Action: Elizabeth silenced Strickland by closing Parliament to prevent discussion of his ideas.
How did Elizabeth respond to the Puritan clergy’s ‘prophesyings’ and what was the outcome for Archbishop Edmund Grindal?
1575-83 - Puritan ‘Prophesyings’:
- Puritan Threat: Some Puritan clergy organized ‘prophesyings’, prayer meetings that were not in line with Elizabeth’s instructions.
- Elizabeth’s Action: Elizabeth ordered Archbishop Edmund Grindal to ban the meetings. When Grindal protested, she suspended him, suggested he resign, and expelled 200 Puritan priests. Grindal later apologized and was reinstated.
What was the consequence for John Stubbs after publishing a pamphlet criticizing Elizabeth’s marriage negotiations with the Catholic French king’s brother in 1583?
1583 - John Stubbs’ Pamphlet:
- Puritan Threat: John Stubbs, a Puritan, published a pamphlet criticizing Elizabeth’s marriage negotiations with the Catholic French king’s brother.
- Elizabeth’s Action: Stubbs was found guilty of stirring up trouble and had his right hand cut off as punishment.
