Elizabethan Religious Settlement And Problems She Faced And English Society / Government 1558 And English Society Flashcards
What were the Religious divisions in England in 1558 like
After the reign of Catholic Mary I England was a divided country in terms of religion. The North of England had generally remained Catholic and the earls and their followers wanted Catholicism restored across the country.
Catholics North and west England
Protestants- mostly SE England
Puritans found in London and East Anglia
Elizabeth’s religious Settlement (1559): its features
Act of Supremacy (Elizabeth supreme governor of the church) - forced churchmen and public office to swear an Oath of Supremacy and remain loyal to Elizabeth. Most parish priests also did this but one catholic belief refused and were replaced.
Act of Uniformity (all churches and services to be the same across the country) and required people to attend church once a week or be fined 12 pence
Royal Injunctions (instructions to reinforce the two main Acts) - instrjction on how peopel should worship God and how services should be conducted( keep a bible copy in English / government licence to preach / weap special vestments)
The book of Common Prayer- set church service for use for all churhces. The clergy had to follow this or be punished
An ecclesiastical High Commision- keep discipline within the church and enforce the religious settlements or the clergy will be punished.
Elizabeth’s religious Settlement (1559): its impacts
Elizabeth’s religious settlement of 1559 was an attempt at finding a compromise that would establish a form of Protestantism that Catholics could accept. She didn’t want to persecute Catholics but she was hoping that their religion would die out in England eventually.
8000 out of 10,000 clergys accepted religious settlement
Many Marian Bishops opposed the settlement
Majority of the ordinary people accepted Elizabeth’s religious settlements and attended service
The Church of England: its role in society.
Elizabeth used the Church of England to increase her control. e.g. Church courts and inspections enabled her to enforce the religious settlement
Preached the government’s message as priest were required a licence to preach Elizabeth’ religious political message
Parish church helped people during hardship
Encouraged people to remain loyal to Elizabeth
Visitations- carried inspections on the churches adn clergy every 3-4 years along with physicians,midwives and surgeons
The nature and extent of the Puritan challenge.
Puritans (extreme Protestants) disapproved of the use of the crucifix and priests wearing special vestments.
Elizabeth had to back down about the crucifix due to Puritan bishops threatening to resign, as she could not replace them with educated Protestant clergy.
However, she managed to insist that the vestments were worn through the1566 Book of Advertisements which showed what priests must weae. As a reult 37 Puritan priests refused.
Extent of Puritan challenge:
John Foxe were antio cathplic and opposed Bishops
Puriantism had less of an impact in Northern Enfland (catholic) . However, were active within London.
Government ignored most Puritan demands for reform of the church e.g Admonition to Parliament 1572 due to limited support (attempted to restore the New testament by disregarding Catholic practices)
What happened 1566 and 1569
In 1566 the pope issued an instruction for Catholics not to attend church services. Some people were punished for not attending mass but in many cases this did not happen (counter reformation). Additionally, 37 priest refused to wear special vestements by resigning.
Other parts of the country proved more of a challenge – particularly in the North of England where there was a revolt in 1569
1566 revolt plan
Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland would raise an army and take control of Durham and would then march south to join the Duke of Norfolk’s forces
• Several thousand Spanish troops would land in Hartlepool to support the rebels
• Duke of Norfolk and the rebel forces would seize control of London and overthrow Elizabeth
• Mary Queen of Scots would be freed, married to the Duke Norfolk and placed on the throne
Main events of the Revolt of the Northern Earls
Rebels led by Earl of Northhumberland and West Morland took Durham Cathedral and celebrated a full Catholic mass. Controlled land in NE England as far south as Leeds. After they woud march to free MQOS although she was moved to coventry.
However, most nobles stayed loyal to Elizabeth and by 24 November the rebels were forced to retreat and eventually defeated due to most troop deserting and two earls fleeing. Additionally, no support from Spain arrived . As a result 400 rebels executed.
Significance of the revolt of the Northern earls
First and most serious rebellious act by Catholics against Elizabeth.
Power and influence of Northern Earls ended. Prompted harsher treatments against Catholics.
Pope Pius VI excommunicated Elizabeth (expelled her from the church)
Elizabeth’s control over the North of Englsnd strengthened.
What problems did Elizabeth face in 1558
Strength of Mary as Queen
Many people thought that Elizabeth was not the Legitimate (legal) Queen because Henry VIII got divorced (Catherine if Aragon)
Society- Women were thought to be inferior. A queen ruling by herself was very unusual so many felt that Elizabeth should marry
Women could not rule effectively due to a need for an heir. As a result Elizabeth was pressured to find a husband (outspark of a civil war) .However, she was reluctant to do so as she would lose status. Furthermore, marriage within the country can cause outrage within the country and marrying foreign can give opposing countries too much power.
Religion - In 1558, country was divided by religion (Catholic until Henry VIII’s reign), many thought country’s differences would lead to civil war
Strengths:
Intelligent / confident / well educated despte having little traning she is a powerful and effective leader
Challenges at home
At home:
Financial weaknesses – England had fought costly wars before Elizabeth became Queen. (King Edward VI fought costly wars in Scotland / Mary I spent too much money) -£300,000 debt
England’s population steadily rising since 1500. London growing rapidly
Export of wool cloth to Europe was very important although it declined
Merchant explored Asia and America (change in farming practices)
Elizabethan society dominated by small,land owning aristocracy of nobility and gentry (old-fashioned tax system resulted in the poor to pay high taxes whereas nobility and gentry payed less) - Elizabeth reluctant to change it feared it would upset her support.
Poverty became a major problem within Elizabethan England (inflation) due to the crown reducing silver and gold content of coins.
Elizabeth timeline 1558-1588
1558- Elizabeth aueen
1559- religious settlements
1563-Statue of Artficers ensured poor relief collected
1566- Dutch revolt
1567- sea beggars
1568- MQOS fled and Geneose loan
1569- Revolt of Northern Earls
1570- Pope exocommunciated Elizabeth
1571- ridolfi plot
1572- vagabonds act
1576- poor relief act , spanish fury and pacification of Ghent
1577- drake started circumnavigation
1580 - drake knighted
1583- Throckmorton plot
1584 Treaty of Joinville
1585- Treaty of Nonsuch, English colony of Virginia
1586- Babington, colony abandoned
1587- MQOS executed, attack at Cadiz harbour, Roanoke colonisation
1588, Armada attacked
What was the Privy Council
Group of around 20 of the Queen’s must trusted councellors who gave advise to her decisions.
Why was parliament created and what was it
House of Lords (noblemen and bishops)
House of commons (very few people can vote)
The Queen needed the Parliament to pass new laws or raise taxes when summoned. Elizabeth relied on the nobility and gentry to enforce law and order throughout the country e.g extraordiwnry taxation
What are local governments and what did they do
Local governments posts like Justice of Peace and sherrif were unpaid, but many volunteered to increase local power and influence. They ensured law, provided for the poor and maintained road/bridges
