Millenary Petition and Hampton Court Conference 1603-04

Question 1

When was the Millenary Petition issued and what were demands?

Answer 1

• In 1603 when James was travelling to his throne. 1000 Puritans issued it asking…
• for removal of the cross symbol at baptism, bowing to Jesus’ name, and the use of rings.
• A reduction in pluralism.
• Recognition of restricted activity during Sabbath.
• Less vestments such as the cap and surplice.
• Less singing.
• Shorter services so the sermons could be longer and better.
• Changes to the Court of High Commission and less persecution of Puritans.
• A new bible issuing.

Question 2

Describe the Bye and Main Plots.

Answer 2

May-December 1603. Puritans and Catholic Priests plotted.
The Bye Plot involved a plot to kidnap James on his way to London and force him to make concessions. This was betrayed by the Jesuits who feared the retribution to Catholics, (Jesuits were a division of priests founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1540, Spain).
The Main Plot was to replace James with Arabella Stuart, his cousin, and this was supported by the Spanish Hamburgs, (rulers of Spain and Germany), and Sir Walter Raleigh.

Question 3

What were consequences of the two plots?

Answer 3

• Trials for both plots were held simultaneously, though luckily only one person was executed.
• No more recusancy fines.
• On 22 February 1604 an edict was issued to ban Catholic Priests while James was suggesting converting to Catholicism so he could gain control over the Catholic church from the Pope Clement VIII, unifying the church.

Question 4

Describe discussion at the Hampton Court Conference and the results.

Answer 4

• 9 bishops with Whitgift and James went against 5 Puritans.
• The Puritans, led by John Reynolds of the Corpus Christi Church suggested that presbyters replace bishops, which James refused as he feared their Scottish influence.
• He turned on bishops as they said no changes were needed.
• James wanted to create limited concessions and explain existing doctrine to identify those who would’t conform.
• Puritans wanted all churches to have a preaching minister, and while pluralism was reduced, this was a cheap option.
• The Court of High Commission was reformed, reducing the ability for bishops to dismiss ministers and defining ability to rule cases of heretical crimes and writing against the bible and ministers.
• The Thirty Nine Articles were reintroduced, reinforcing the importance of hierarchy - deacon, priests, bishops, the wearing of vestments, and kneeling at Communion.
• Non conformists would be denied of their livings by bancroft, and bishops accepted the conference as they had to tolerate Puritan gentry in their secular dioceses.

Question 5

Describe Bancroft’s employment..

Answer 5

In 1604 Bancroft, an anti-Puritan, was appointed with some reluctance by James. He was determined to enforce the Thirty Nine Articles and is said to have denied 300 of their livings. This is likely closer to 73-83, and only 1% of Puritan ministers.