The Puritan Threat Flashcards
What did Puritan mean?
At the time it was used as a term of abuse for Protestants who criticised the settlement (Some disliked 39 articles - others critical of church structure)
When did the first main conflict with government occur?
1566 - over the wearing of vestments
What did Archbishop of Canterbury issue in 1566?
Book of advertisements - to ensure conformity in the church
What proved the be the first serious challenge on the settlement by Protestants?
Presbyterianism - central issue = attack on the church organisation
Thomas Cartwright and John field = significant in this movement
Cartwright openly criticised the organisation of Elizabethan church into Archbishops, Bishops etc
He wanted a Presbyterian government where instead of the queen as supreme governor there could be separate congregations each led by lay elders
What happened to Cartwright?
His views caused such a concern that he was removed from professorship in December 1570 by John Whitgift and he was forced into exile in 1573
Where did Cartwrights views find more sympathy?
In the HoC where there was an attempt to launch parliamentary campaign in favour of Presbyterianism
Cartwright introduced a bill that met several puritan objections to the church settlement (he wished to make common prayer book more radical, introduce private baptism etc)
When did the Puritans attempt further reform?
Parliament 1572 - Strickland was imprisoned for his efforts
Following year queen sent out an instruction to Parliament preventing the introduction of religious bills not approved by the Bishops
Who did Presbyterianism have the support of?
Robert Dudley, Francis Walsingham, Earl of Warwick etc
What did Whitgift do in 1583 and what was the outcome?
Ordered all the clergy to subscribe to three articles (Queen as SG, use 1559 CP book and conform to 39 articles)
Over 400 refused to subscribe - influential lay supporters like Cecil came to their aid (after modifying it to clergy didn’t have to us the 1559 book, most agreed)
What was the downfall of Presbyterianism?
Genevan prayer book alienated modern puritans (many arrested for criticism of the settlement)
1558 - John Field ) Presbyterianism’s most effective leader - died and the Earl of Leicester (supporter) also died
Walsingham died in 1590 so by 1590 Whitgift faced little opposition from the Privy Council in his attacks on Presbyterianism
By 1593 the movement was leaderless and by 1603 the movement comprised of around 300 clergy and 75,000 lay members
Who were Separatists?
Extreme group of puritans
