James I: Religious Policy Flashcards
Kishlansky on James’ overall religious strategy:
‘to unify and conquer’
How did James approach the issue of Catholicism?
He had to achieve a balance between tolerance, to not unsettle them, and severity to appease the anti-Catholic population
What distinction did James make concerning the Catholics?
Distinguished between ‘peaceable subjects’ and ‘factious stirrers of sedition’
What measures did James initially adopt against Catholics and why?
Give 2 policies
1605 Gunpowder Plot and prevailing mood made him enforce harsh measures.
1605 Feb led a campaign against recusants - convicting 5,560
1606 Jan introduced the Oath of Allegiance
How harshly did James enforce his early anti-Catholic measures?
And later?
Recusants went largely unpunished, and the number of Catholics actually rose after the Gunpowder Plot (Coward)
Post 1611 James did not introduce further measures - finding some relief as James pursued diplomacy with France and Spain
What did the Puritans present James on the way to his accession?
The Millenary Petition - including ecclesiastical court reform and freedom of ministers to not wear vestments
What financial measure of the church did James enforce early on?
1603 July - announced all tithe income would be directed to ministerial salaries - united much of the clergy, which included many Puritans
What did James do to discuss the MP?
Called the Hampton Court Conference in Jan 1604 expressly to debate religious issues
What were 3 decisions taken at the Hampton Court Conference?
Give 3 points
King James Bible was published in 1611.
Development of a learned, well paid clergy for Wales, Ireland and Scottish borderlands - both measures supported by Puritans and established James as head of CofE
But refused to compromise on the episcopacy
How did James respond to calls for further reform after the Hampton Court Conference?
He rejected calls from plmt in March 1604 and the tens of petitions sent to him in 1605 by Puritans
How did James promote religious conformity and balance?
Sept 1604 Bancroft’s Canons upheld many orthodox doctrines, included some criticised in the MP, and limited preaching of controversial issues e.g. predestination
How harshly did James enforce Bancroft’s Canons?
He made Bancroft Archbishop of Canterbury in Dec 1604 and it was ordered that any cleric who did not conform to the canons should be expelled.
Yet only 90, less than 1%, of the clergy actually faced expulsion - James even allowed reform beyond the canons in 1606
What arguably marked the point of religious stability in James’ reign?
The appointment of George Abbot to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611 - an orthodox Calvinist
Made sure to maintain a strong episcopacy as a means of control - only appointed most able/committed, regardless of beliefs
How did James begin to antagonise the Puritans?
1618 Declaration of Sports compromised the Puritan belief that Sundays were holy, and was initially ordered to be read out in churches, which was very provocative
How did James begin to favour Arminians and why?
Give 2 points
He allowed Arminian clerics like Laud greater prominence in theological debates
1624 did not censure Montagu’s tract ‘A New Gag for an Old Goose’
Partially frustrated by Puritan advocacy for involvement in 30 years war
