Personal Rule: Religion Flashcards
Who was William Laud?
Laud was a key advocate of Charles I’s religious reforms.
- Forthright dogmatic Arminian ideologue
How was Laud promoted through the years?
Privy Councillor in 1627
Bishop of London in 1628
Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633
What part of Laud’s reforms appeased some people?
Reforms were not rejected completely by the country; for example, Laud’s emphasis on beauty and holiness struck a chord with many, giving all the chance of salvation.
What are the main beliefs of Arminianism?
Anti-predestination (salvation through faith)
Less emphasis on the Bible and more emphasis on ritual and ceremony
> Increased emphasis on ceremony, decoration and vestments
Uniformity (order, obedience and authority)
> Insisted upon this and were prepared to enforce their changes, alienating members of the clergy and gentry
What book did Laud impose strict conformity to?
Book of Common Prayer
What did Laud propose to do in terms of the communion table?
Laud proposed to move the communion table back to where it was traditionally in Catholic churches, at the east end, railed off and covered with a cloth.
What institutions did Laud utilise, and to prosecute who?
Laud used the Courts of High Commission and Star Chamber to prosecute Puritan critics of the Church
Who was persecuted against in 1637 in the Star Chamber, what was the verdict, and why?
In 1637, Prynne, Bastwick and Burton were punished for further attacks on the Church; each fined £5,000, imprisoned for life and treated horrendously
(Prynne would eventually be released by the Long Parliament in 1640)
What was the Book of Sports (1633), and how did Puritans see this?
Outlined what sports people could do after Sunday service; possibly in response to Puritan demands to keep the Sabbath for prayer and worship
> Puritans saw this as a direct attack on Sabbatarianism; intensely political act
Who was given prominent places in Charles’ government, and give one example?
Bishops were given prominent places in Charles’ government (i.e. William Juxon, Bishop of London, became Lord Treasurer in 1635)
What looked ‘too Catholic’ in Laud’s church?
Emphasising the role of the clergy, and re-introducing ostentation and ceremony looked ‘too Catholic‘ (crypto-Catholicism)
What were the overall opinion of Laud’s reforms?
Laud’s reforms were not universally unpopular but divided opinion, with many not feeling welcome in the new Church, looking back at a more inclusive and representative Anglicanism before.
How were Laudian measures enforced?
- All Laudian measures were enforced through visitations (official visits and inspections by Bishops) and the ecclesiastical courts.
> Bishops visitations focused on inspecting the physical aspects of the churches and the performance of the minister.
What was the organisation of Laudian measures like, and what were the consequences of this?
- Imposed and centrally organised.
> Led to growing anxiety about the nature of Charles’ rule; the extent of Laud’s influence therefore significantly increased fears that Charles was intending to install continental-style absolutism
