Topic 2-James And Religion

Question 1

james and puritans

millenary petition 1603

Answer 1

In 1603 over 1,000 Puritan ministers came together and produced a Petition calling for James to reform the Church of England in a more Puritan direction. The document was produced by Puritans who knew little about James aside from the fact he had overseen a Presbyterian church in Scotland. It was presented to him as soon as he arrived in London. The document can be seen to represent both the Puritan’s hope that James would be a reformer in the Church of England, but also represents, in many ways, Puritan aims during James’ reign

Question 2

james and puritans

puritans proposal in the millenary petition 1603

Answer 2

· Remove Catholic practices from the Church of England. this included bowing at the name of Jesus, making the sign of the cross during baptism, wearing of vestments, and using the ring in marriage.

· Church ministers should be able to preach (rather than be forced to partake in unnecessary ceremonies). Further, church ministers should be ‘able and sufficient men’ with good education. Prophesising should also be allowed. This involved the discussion of sermons after they had been conducted.

· Court of High Commission (which had punished Puritans during Elizabeth’s reign) should be reformed

· A new Bible should be introduced

Question 3

james and puritans

why did puritans make the demands of the millinary petition 1603

Answer 3

Puritans believed the reformation was incomplete without the removal of these Catholic traits.

Also – they hoped James would adopt these reforms having been in Scotland with the Kirk

Question 4

james and puritans

how radical were the puritans demands with the millenary petition 1603

Answer 4

These were moderate – not radical – demands. They did not include a demand to reform the episcopacy.

They were at pains to show their respect for the king.

Question 5

james and puritans

hampton court conference 1604

Answer 5

The Hampton Conference was convened by James’ to discuss the Millenary Petition. James brought together a select group to debate the proposals in the millenary petition. On the one side sat 9 bishops expressing the traditional Anglican view. On the other side sat 5 Puritans. James oversaw the conference as the chairperson. The mere fact that the Conference was held is a noteworthy event. The conference represented that James was willing to listen to the concerns raise by his subjects, rather than merely dismiss their concerns. Part of this stemmed from James’ personality. He had always liked to debate and saw himself as an intellectual willing to engage with proposals and ideas. Nevertheless, this could be seen as a success for ruling in a consensual manner.

Question 6

james and puritans

outcome of the hampton court conference
issue raised- high commission

Answer 6

Reform of the Court of High Commission which had punished extreme Puritans in Elizabeth’s reign. Reforms clarified its jurisdiction. In particular, it could only deal with cases of heresy; people writing against the Prayer Book, or against church officials, or other strictly defined religious offences such as interrupting services. The reform meant that it was likely fewer Puritans would be punished for minor offences.

Question 7

james and puritans

outcome of the hampton court conference
issue raised- prophesising

Answer 7

James allowed prophesising (something Elizabeth had refused). Prophesising was the Puritan notion that clerics and laymen should meet after church services to discuss sermons, the Bible, and pray together.

Question 8

james and puritans

outcome of hampton court conference
issue raised- ‘catholic’ practices

Answer 8

James rejected proposed changes to Church of England practice, such as the removal of the sign of the cross during Baptism and bowing at the name of Jesus. The wearing of vestments by priests, too, was to continue. James viewed these as harmless pieces of tradition and Christian respect, rather than ‘Catholic remnants’.
puritans would be disappointed

Question 9

james and puritans

outcome of the hampton court conference
issue raised- church government

Answer 9

At one stage in the conference a Puritan discussed the Scottish Presbyterian system, implying that it could be introduced in England. James famously declared ‘no bishop, no king’ – rejecting Presbyterianism. This idea stemmed from the notion that if the authority of the bishops came into question, the authority of the king would be challenged next. This demonstrated James’ firm belief in the importance of the episcopal structure of the church.

Question 10

james and puritans

outcome of hampton court confrence
issue raised- bible

Answer 10

James decided to create a new Bible – The King James’ Bible, published in 1611. This would replace the two that had existed – the Bishops Bible and the Geneva Bible. James disliked the Geneva Bible for its more extreme Puritan stance. The Bible was a moderate translation and became the only one used in the Church of England.