Puritan threat Flashcards
What did Puritans think about the RS?
Wanted it more extreme
Critical of it, thought it was “too Catholic”
What were the Puritans’ main objections to the RS?
Role of Bishops-not biblical, wanted to abolish hierarchy of church
Adiaphora (Catholic superstitious practices) not in bible eg kneeling before communion, wearing ring
Vestments-not in bible, distinguished priest from laity, associated with Roman Catholic Church
Wearing of surplices- too similar to catholic clergy
Who were puritans?
Extreme protestants
What were the different types of Puritans?
The moderates
The Presbyterians
The Separatists
Who were the Moderates?
Not a threat
reluctantly accepted RS
Tried to work from within the church to reform its structure
Who were the Presbyterians?
Wanted Calvinist model of church of local and elected elders running the church
meant removal of all bishops + archbishops
not popular with Elizabeth direct challenge to her royal prerogative (Act of Supremacy)
What were Puritan beliefs?
believed church should be reformed as quickly as possible
Hardened by Marian exile
based in Geneva, absorbed Calvinist ideas
Religion and state should be separated
Who were the Separatists?
Puritans not prepared to compromise
Couldn’t accept the services offered in the English church as reflecting the true church so set up their own
few in number
threat, Elizabeth feared development of an Anabaptist movement similar to one in Munster 1533-4
What Puritan challenges were there?
1563=Convocation of Canterbury 1566=Vestment Controversy 39 articles Cartwright's Presbyterian lectures William Strickland's Alphabet Bills Prophesying's Anthony Cope "bill and book" The Admonition to the Parliament
What happened at the 1563 Convocation of Canterbury?
Puritans sought to “further purify” the church of England beyond the RS
Plans based on 42 articles from Edward VI’s reign
more extreme measures only defeated by 1 vote (59:58)
demonstrates the extent of Puritan sympathy with in Church
What was the Vestments controversy?
Internal threat
In 1566 when advertisements were laid down on the vestment requirements for clergy, 37 priests refused to follow instructions + were removed from office
Support from Grindal
What were the Thirty-Nine articles?
Challenged RS
This was the definition of the beliefs + practices of the English Church
Granted + accepted by Convocation in in 1563
concession for puritans but authorities didn’t always recognise its existence
What changes were proposed in Parliament?
Thirty-Nine Articles
Bill to reform Book of Common Prayer 1571
“bill and book” campaign
What did Walter Strickland do?
1571 sent a bill to reform Book of Common Prayer by abolishing uses of surplices, rings in marriage + other superstitious practices
Won some support but none from higher authority
Privy Council summoned him to answer accusations
Barred from house but allowed to return after cry from MPs
Bill not heard of again
What did Anthony Cope do?
Proposed to replace Common Prayer Book with Genevan Prayer Book
Elizabeth unimpressed, sent for it, undermined her royal prerogative
Sent Cope + 4 others to tower
The Bill and Book disappeared
What other methods did Puritans use to challenge RS?
Academic criticism - Cartwright
Appeals to public opinion - Field and Wilcox
Separatists
What did Thomas Cartwright do?
Cartwright, professor at Cambridge introduced Presbyterian teaching to England
1570, gave series of lectures criticising church
one conclusion was that role of bishops + other officials not in Bible
his freedom of speech + professorship was removed
What did Field and Wilcox do?
Field + Wilcox wrote Admonition to Parliament criticised the Church on its structure + continued use of some Catholic practices
Imprisoned-spent year in Newgate prison
Had wide readership + initiated pamphlet war between its supporters + detractors
successful in bringing Puritan ideas to forefront of debate
What was prophesying?
informal religious meetings with prayers + religious preaching
threat- can’t control what is being said
Grindal turned blind eye even when Elizabeth ordered their suppression, forced to suspend him
What methods did Separatists use?
1580s, Cambridge graduates Browne + Harrison formed their own church in Norwich
emigrated to Holland in 1582 after trouble with authorities-known as Brownist movement
1590s, Greenwood + Barrow led another Separatist movement
Martin Marprelate Tracts
What were the Martin Marprelate Tracts?
anonymous pamphlets, very popular
attacked the Elizabethan church
lost support, sparked immediate outrage
What did Elizabeth do about the separatists?
Legalisation against Sectaries meant Barrow, Greenwood + John Penry all arrested + executed
Why was the Separatist movement limited?
attracted small numbers, most Puritans had come to accept RS
never a united movement, prone to splintering eg Browne fell out with Harrison which is why he left England
beliefs weren’t regimented and defined
What were Puritans less of a threat towards the end?
John Field died 1558, no one had organisation skills like him
Marprelate Tracts damaged reputation + lost support
1580 Seminary priests began to arrive in England, reduced Puritan threat increased catholic
More focused on Spanish Armada
Defeat of Spanish Armada 1588 viewed as triumph for English church, puritan criticisms carried less weight
