Elizabeths Settlement

Question 1

What was the act of supremacy 1559

Answer 1

• Elizabeth became supreme Governor of the church
• all clergy and officials must take an oath of allegiance
• all heresy laws repealed
• communion in both kinds repealed

Question 2

Act of uniformity 1559

Answer 2

• 1552 prayer book of common prayer to be used in all churches
• all must attend church on Sundays or be fined one shilling
• The ornaments of the church and dress of the clergy were to be those current in 1548, queen could alter these later is she wished

Question 3

Other acts Elizabeth introduced

Answer 3

• all clergy could marry, wives had to be approved by bishops
• all monasteries Mary had restored were dissolved again
• 1559 royal injunctions - clergy to wear distinctive dress, music encouraged at Sunday services
• taxes paid by the church now to be payed to Elizabeth, pictures and images tolerated

Question 4

Most important factor determining Elizabeth’s religious settlement

Answer 4

Elizabeths personal beliefs
- very important she was brought up Protestant, resisted Mary’s reforms. Pressure to be moderate Protestant as she understood need to balance groups in country to get max loyalty.
- her Protestant faith legitimised her as a queen. She was a product of a marriage catholics didn’t recognise as legitimate

Question 5

How important was the domestic situation in England in determining Elizabeth’s settlement

Answer 5

• there had been much change since Henry’s break from Rome, rise of radical Protestants like Marian exiles
• pressure from both sides she was only interested in loyalty to her eg sending Lincoln and Winchester to Tower of London
• quite important but her mind already set on a moderate religious settlement due to her background and personal beliefs.

Question 6

How important was the foreign situation in England regarding Elizabeth’s religious settlement

Answer 6

• Elizabeth knew she couldn’t upset the 2 catholic powerhouses, already at war with France anxious about Scotland
• pressure to return to catholics
• very important short term in 1559 to ensure her vulnerable position on the throne not jeapordised l.