How successful was James religiously

Question 1

What were the fundamental religious issues that James faced ?

Answer 1

• In Scotland, there were the presbyterians, who did not use any bishops, James greatly disliked them for this
• In England, there were the Puritans, who were Calvinist and resented Bishops. They were a minority, however were very vocal.
• The Arminians demanded more elaborate services such as communions
• Finally, the Catholics, a minority although were unhappy with their discrimination in the country under the previous Elizabethan reign.

Question 2

What was the purpose of the Hampton court conference in 1604?

Answer 2

Meeting convened by James I in response to the Millenary Petition handed to him while travelling south to London. They wanted reform within the church, for example the ending of popish aspects within the church.

Question 3

In what ways was the Hampton court successful and unsuccessful?

Answer 3

It was a success- one uniformed version of the bible emerged to replace the two current ones in use, this created uniformity and clarity within the Church. This emerged in 1611.

However, the conference was a failure for the Puritans because they failed to win any of their demands.

For example, if the Puritans suggested any major alteration of Church Government, they would be branded as extremists. They therefore, pursued the opposite line, but their demands, such as not having to wear a surplice, were so moderate that James dismissed their grievances as trivial and unworthy of note

Question 4

How did James attempt to make amendments with the Puritans and thus, preserve the balance of the church ?

Answer 4

James was able to content the Puritans by appointing bishops personally and individually. Most were Calvinist and devoted to the encouragement of preaching. They set a good example by travelling the country and preaching in person. This helped create religious balance and harmony within the church.

Question 5

How did James deal with the Catholics, was he successful?

Answer 5

• James wanted harmony with the Catholics
• At first, James was tolerant towards the Catholics, he
  promised he would not ‘persecute any that will be quiet
  and give outward obedience to the law’ - he ordered the
  recusancy fines to be reduced and they fell to less than
  a quarter of their level before 1603.
• In 1606 after the initial concerns of Catholic extremism
  had died penal laws against Catholics deteriorated.
• He struggled to do this due to the anti-Catholic
  sentiment in parliament
  -James began leading forward a pro-catholic policy
  while parliament continued to make their unhappiness
  towards Catholics made apparent. MP’s complained
  about papists in high places, the spread of popery and
  the slack enforcement of the penal laws.
• In general James dealt well with the Catholics, often using his foreign policy and marriage alliances to aid catholic happiness in England.

Question 6

What was James’ attitude towards the Catholics?

Answer 6

• James believed in toleration
• His wife converted to Catholicism in the 1590s
• James realised that most Catholics were loyal subjects
• He sympathised with them

Question 7

Why was James not successful with the puritans

Answer 7

• Puritans were extremely concerned by the lack of
  persecution upon the Catholics
• Mary I had burned nearly 300 protestants in England
  and they believed a repeat of this could occur in their
  own time
• They were horrified by the Spanish Match, James’ trust
  in Arminians and his positive foreign policy towards the
  Spanish.
• This fear and resentment to the lack of religious forms
  led to many puritans emigrating to the Netherlands
• James was unable to keep the Puritans happy and for
  this reason was unsuccessful in dealing in this aspect

Question 8

How were catholics treated after the plot of 1605

Answer 8

• Parliament passed ferocious legislation against the
  Catholics
• Forbidden to be doctors or lawyers, houses could be
  searched at any time, they could not travel without
  permission
• However what is evident is that quickly James reverted
  back to his tolerant ways, ignoring the judgement of
  parliament,
• reduced the enforcement of penal laws, only 25
  executed during his reign

Question 9

What was the Gunpowder plot of 1605

Answer 9

• England’s peace with Spain in 1604 had deprived
  Catholics of the hope of foreign intervention to
  promote their cause.
• In desperation a plot was hatched
  to remove the king and his entire government
• Plot was led by Robert Catesby and the main plotters
  came from gentry which had suffered from recusancy
  fines.
• James was understandably upset by the plot and
  reacted in a harsh manor- however, his personal trust
  and sympathy towards Catholics quickly prevailed.