Religious Settlement

Question 1

Catholicism Backgroun

Answer 1

Until 1517 Catholicism dominated Western Europe. Baptism, marriage and death were all marked by special ceremonies, confession of sin and mass were vital in keeping your soul from eternal damnation in hell and even after your were dead, prayers from others could still help you on your way to heaven.

Question 2

Protestantism Background

Answer 2

• in 1517 Luther wrote a document called The Ninety-five Theses and nailed it onto the door of his local church in Wittenberg.
• Luter was outlawed by the Catholics and set up his own church. Luther’s new church was a Protestant Church that was called the Lutheran Church.
• The services in the Protestant Church were conducted in German rather than Latin (a language which was normally used by the priest in the Catholic Church). The services in the Protestant Church included praying, singing, Bible reading and sermons.

Question 3

Puritainism

Answer 3

Mary Tudors ruled over 300 protestants who died for their faith, earning her the name ‘Bloody Mary’. Many escaped England, upon their return they had adopted a much purer, extreme version of Protestantism, which is known as puritanism. These people believed;
People should live simply (simple clothes, homes, churches).
The word of the bible is final.
No king or queen should control their religion.

Question 4

Elizabeths problems

Answer 4

-There was a great deal of religious conflict spreading through Europe as Catholics and protestants fought to establish their religion as the ‘true’ religion. (She feared this comflict might spread to england)

Question 5

What did Elizabeth Want?

Answer 5

• Elizabeth wanted a fair system which would keep as many people as happy as possible
• a form of Protestantism that Catholics would accept

Question 6

What acts do we refer to as ‘The Religious settlement

Answer 6

Act of Supremacy
Act of Uniformity
Royal Injunctions

Question 7

The Act of Supremacy

Answer 7

This made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church. The term ‘Supreme Head’ was avoided because Christ was seen as Head of the Church. There was a strict prohibition of foreign leadership in the English church, so denying Elizabeth’s position in the Church was considered treason.

Question 7

The Act of Uniformity

Answer 7

This made Protestantism England’s official faith and also set out rules of religious practice and worship in a revised prayer book. This retained some Catholic traditions which Elizabeth hoped would make a good compromise and keep her people happy.

Question 8

Reactions to the Religious settlement

Answer 8

-there was some resistance from both Catholics and protestants
-the Church would carry out visitations where they inspected churches. The first visitations resulted in 400 clergy being dismissed
-visitations took place every 3-4 years and would also inspect other professions
-Puritans complained that the Church looked too Catholic
-All clergy had to take an oath, recognising Elizabeth’s title and agreeing to use the new Prayer Book
Only 250 out of 9,000 priests refused and lost their jobs.