James I and Religion

Question 1

James’ religious views

Answer 1

Brought up by Presbyterians but did not accept all their ideas
Liked bishops and a Church that agreed with him about Divine Right

Question 2

Catholic hopes in 1603

Answer 2

Recusants, but few
Little expectation they would grow in influence

Question 3

Puritan hopes in 1603

Answer 3

Far more Puritans than Catholics
Presented millenary petition asking for change in 1603
James was not hostile to requests but would not give way on bishops

Question 4

Church of England in 1603

Answer 4

King = Supreme governor
Controlled by archbishops and bishops
Most members = Moderate Protestants
Armenians, wanted more elaborate services, were a growing group

Question 5

Hampton Court Conference 1604

Answer 5

Listened to Puritan arguments for reform
Bishops argue alternative viewpoint
Mostly amicable
‘No bishop, No king’
Decision for new English Bible (1611)

Question 6

New Canons 1604

Answer 6

All clergy have to take oath:
- Use of sign of cross
- Wearing surplice
- Communion kneeling
- Accept King as Supreme Governor of Church
- 39 Articles
- Service in Prayer book
Some Puritan ministers resign

Question 7

James’ attitudes towards Catholics

Answer 7

Toleration:
- If Catholics remained loyal, could practice in private
- Earl of Northampton converted on deathbed
Persecution:
- Disliked Jesuits, wanted them gone, did not persecute
- Catholic laymen had to pay fines for not going to Church

Question 8

Main and Bye Plots 1603

Answer 8

Bye plot = Kidnap James and force Catholic reform
Main plot = Remove James and replace him with Arabella Stuart
Involved prominent figures, like Sir Walter Raleigh

Question 9

The Gunpowder Plot 1605

Answer 9

Alarmed by increasing number of Catholics not attending church
Firmer again with recusancy fines
Monteagle letter - Cecil
Parliament respond by restricting rights further, e.g. can’t live in or around London, and increase recusancy fines
Soon relaxed again after

Question 10

Impact of Catholicism on policies

Answer 10

• Varied on how much he feared Catholic activity
• Recognised plot consisted of radicals, not regular Catholics
• Disliked Jesuits due to following of Pope
• Gave in to Spanish demands
• Still in search for Catholic marriage

Question 11

Impact of Catholicism on Parliament’s policies

Answer 11

• Hostility towards Buckingham increased
• 1621 and 1624 parliaments push for harsher recusancy fines