Miles - History 4. The extent of Catholic threat up to 1570 Flashcards
The extent of the Catholic threat up to 1570:
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The catholic threat and its nature
Overview of the impact of the settlement.
-Despite Elizabeth’s best attempts to appease Catholics, they were far from happy.
- Most people outside of London remained Catholic.
-When looking at the threat from disgruntled Catholics, we have to establish whether it was from an extreme minority or all of them
…pt2
-Elizabeth felt that a gradual and gentle switch to Protestantism would eventually win over the Catholic masses.
-In reality, Elizabeth needed to appease Catholic gentry to enforce government policy in the regions.
How far were Catholics a threat to Elizabeth?
At the beginning of the reign, most were still Catholic. In a study, Duffy has shown that Catholic beliefs were held by large sections of the population. Therefore, Elizabeth and her Protestant supporters were faced with a difficult task in implementing the religious settlement.
Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots.
Elizabeth was also faced with foreign affairs. In 1558, England was an ally of Catholic Spain against France and Scotland.
Her most serious threat was from Mary Stuart,who possessed the strongest claim to the English throne after Elizabeth’s demise.The problem began after Mary’s decision to leave Scotland to find exile in England in 1568 until her execution in 1587.
How strong was English Catholicism from 1558-1568?
At the beginning of the reign, the main opposition came from Catholic bishops in the House of Lords. As the study of the church illustrates , it was this group, rather than a band of radical Protestants in the House Of Commons, who provided the main obstacle to the passage through Parliament of the religious settlement.
…pt2
Although the period 1558-68 saw little persecution of Catholics, they, in turn seemed to lack leadership and direction in how to deal with the new religious settlement. Clear lack of Papal leadership.
It was not until 1562 that Pius IV made a statement prohibiting Catholics from attending Anglican services. However, this was not made known until 1566.
This lack of action was partly due to Phillip II’s ability to persuade Pope that england could be won back to Catholicism means, through diplomacy.
Who were the main Catholic opponents to the settlement?
Papists.
Recusants.
Seminary priests.
Jesuits.
Papists
Loyal to Elizabeth, made up the Catholic majority including 8000 loyal clergy. They opposed changed to sacraments and the mass. They attended services, but they interpreted the Prayer Book as Catholics and retained their elements.
Recusants
More radical than Papists, by refusing to attend church, believing strongly in the need for a Latin mass. 1/3rd of the Lords were thought to be recusants as well as gentry members. Recusant priests carried out private masses for recusant gentlemen and Elizabeth did nothing about it until the 1570s
Seminary priests
English Catholic priests trained in flanders from 1558. over 500 returned to England to ‘save Catholic souls’ and 100 were eventually put to en masse from 1574 to return Catholicism.
Jesuits
Founded in 1534 to destroy, they were highly motivated Catholic missionaries. They were more extreme than seminaries but were less in number. Arriving after 1580, they were vigorously opposed attempts at Catholic appeasement and accepted no compromise.
The increased threat after 1558
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Mary Queen of Scots arrived in England - 1568
Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate in favor of her infant son James and was imprisoned. She managed to escape and fled to England where she sought refuge from Elizabeth in 1568. She fled after an unsuccessful attempt to regain her throne.
In essence, she became Mary’s prisoner for 18 years.
…pt2
Sir William Douglas helped her flee on a boat.
Why was she forced to abdicate?
She was alienated from her closest advisors, Mary’s monarchy floundered. After failing to quash a rebellion of Scottish peers, Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle and forced to abdicate in favor of her one-year-old son.
