Presbyterians and religious radicalism

Question 1

In 1625 Charles I became King of England but also king of…

Answer 1

Scotland, but he didn’t visit Scotland for his coronation until 1633.

Question 2

The Scottish elite were, religiously, primarily…

Answer 2

Presbyterian and strongly opposed to Arminianism.

Question 3

What did Charles I announce in 1633, during his visit to Scotland?

Answer 3

His intention to replace the Scottish Prayer Book so that there would be religious uniformity in both England and Scotland - Scottish Presbyterians regarded this as a threat to their independence, and they prepared to resist Charles’ policy.

Question 4

When was the Laudian Prayer Book read out for the first time in Scotland?

Answer 4

23 July 1637

Question 5

What was triggered as a result of widespread opposition to the new prayer book in Scotland?

Answer 5

The Scottish Rebellion.

Question 6

What was the aim of the Presbyterian Scots, against Charles I?

Answer 6

To show Charles that he should withdraw it and cease his meddling in what they regarded as their area of influence.

Question 7

How many Scots signed the National Covenant, in 1638, in protest against Charles’ actions?

Answer 7

300,000.

Question 8

Charles determination to crush the growing National Covenant movement merely escalated the revolt to become…

Answer 8

the Bishops’ Wars, which some regard as the start of the British civil wars.

Question 9

What did the Scottish Rebellion do to Charles’ authority over church and state?

Answer 9

Weakened it - it was a key factor leading to the outbreak of civil war in 1642.

Question 10

During and after the civil war, religious divisions multiplied, with the creation of number of radical groups including:

Answer 10

• Baptists
• Ranters
• Millenarians
• Muggletonians
• Fifth Monarchists

Question 11

Who were Baptists?

Answer 11

Believed in adult baptism - they separated from the Church of England and preached only those ‘born again’ through adult baptism would attain salvation.

Question 12

Who were Ranters?

Answer 12

Included a number of radical writers - they were not an organised group but they rejected all forms of organised religion, and even rejected the concept of sin.

Question 13

Who were Millenarians?

Answer 13

Believed that Jesus would soon return to earth and reign for 1,000 years.

Question 14

Who were Muggletonians?

Answer 14

Followers of Lodowicke Muggleton and John Reeve who, after the execution of Charles I, claimed that the end of the world was imminent.

Question 15

Who were Fifth Monarchists?

Answer 15

Radical millenarians who, by 1650, and formed into a political grouping under Major-General Thomas Harrison.

Question 16

What was the most significant form of religious radicalism that developed in the 1650s?

Answer 16

Quakerism.

Question 17

Why was Quakerism significant?

Answer 17

• By the late 1650s the Quaker movement had grown to about 50,000 members
• Before 1660 the Quaker movement was willing to take direct political action - the commitment to political action included a willingness to use violence if necessary to achieve their aims

Question 18

The development of Quakerism was linked to the…

Answer 18

New Model Army in that many Quakers had served in the army.

Question 19

Why did the fear of the Quakers increase after 1658?

Answer 19

Death of Cromwell - political order broke down - Quaker numbers increased and their chief patron, the New Model Army General Lambert, became more influential.

Question 20

The Restoration of the monarchy was seen by the political elite as a way of…

Answer 20

reimposing order and removing the threat of a military dictatorship under Lambert, based on Quaker support.