The Religious Settlement

• By 1588, England had experienced decades of dizzying religious changes. Elizabeth's religious 'settlement', passed in 1559, aimed to put a stop to these changes and bring religious stability to England.
• What significant event occurred in England in the 1530s?

  Henry VIII broke away from Catholic Church
• What was the national religion of England before the 1530s?

  England was a Catholic country
• How did Henry VIII change the religious landscape of England?

  He rejected the Pope's authority
• Who was a strong supporter of Protestantism after Henry VIII?

  Edward VI
• What reforms did Edward VI attempt in the English Church?

  He tried to make it more Protestant
• What was Mary I's religious affiliation?

  She was a devout Catholic
• What actions did Mary I take regarding Protestantism?

  She restored Catholicism and persecuted Protestants
• How many Protestants were executed under Mary I?

  More than 280
• What was Elizabeth I's upbringing in terms of religion?

  She was raised as a Protestant
• What did Protestants believe about salvation?

  Salvation comes through faith, not deeds
• What did Protestants encourage regarding the Bible?

  They encouraged reading it in translation
• How did Protestant churches differ from Catholic churches?

  Protestant churches were plain and simple
• What was Elizabeth I's goal regarding religious changes?

  To create a stable and lasting religious settlement
• What were the key religious changes in England from the 1530s to Elizabeth I's reign?

  • Henry VIII broke from Catholic Church
  • Edward VI supported Protestant reforms
  • Mary I restored Catholicism and persecuted Protestants
  • Elizabeth I aimed for a stable religious settlement
• The Act of Supremacy gave Elizabeth control over the church

  . Henry VIII and Edward VI had both used the title Supreme Head of the Church of England.

  . In her Act of Supremacy (passed in 1559), Elizabeth altered this title to make herself the Supreme Governor of the English Church.

  . This gave Elizabeth control of the English Church, without actually calling her its 'Head'. This compromise satisfied those who believed a woman couldn't lead the Church.
• As well as the Act of Supremacy, Elizabeth also introduced the Act of Uniformity and the Royal Injunctions in 1559. They introduced some Protestant reforms, but they didn't go far enough for the Puritans.
• What did the Act of Uniformity impose on the English Church?

  Moderate Protestant reforms
• What year were the Act of Uniformity and Royal Injunctions passed?

  1559
• What were the main reforms imposed by the Act of Uniformity?

  • Compulsory church attendance with fines for absence
  • Issuance of a new Book of Common Prayer for all churches
  • Requirement for all parishes to have an English Bible
• What was the consequence for missing a church service under the Act of Uniformity?

  Fines were imposed
• What was issued that had to be used in all churches?

  A new Book of Common Prayer
• What requirement was placed on all parishes regarding the Bible?

  They had to have a copy in English
• What concessions were made to English Catholics in the Act of Uniformity?

  • Vague wording of the communion service
  • Churches allowed to keep some decorations
  • Priests required to wear certain Catholic vestments
• Why was the wording of the communion service kept vague?

  To be accepted by both Protestants and Catholics
• What were churches allowed to keep under the Act of Uniformity?

  Some decorations
• What did priests have to wear according to the Act of Uniformity?

  Certain Catholic vestments
• What was the purpose of the 'middle way' in the religious settlement?

  To satisfy the majority with moderate beliefs
• How did the religious settlement affect England's religious landscape?

  • Made England a Protestant country
  • Allowed some Catholic beliefs and practices
  • Aimed to satisfy moderate religious beliefs
  • Failed to win over extreme Catholics and Puritans
• Who could not be won over by the religious settlement?

  The more extreme Catholics and Puritans
• Who were the Puritans?

  Committed Protestants seeking further reforms
• What did the Puritans want from Elizabeth's religious settlement?

  To remove all traces of Catholicism
• Who supported the Puritans among the Protestant bishops?

  Many appointed bishops from 1559
• What was Matthew Parker's role regarding the religious settlement?

  He upheld the 'middle way' of the settlement
• Why did many Puritans flee England?

  Mary I's reign and persecution
• What influence did exile have on the Puritans?

  They encountered teachings of reformers
• Who were the leading reformers the Puritans encountered?

  Martin Luther and John Calvin
• What was the Vestment Controversy?

  Puritan priests refused to wear the surplice
• What was the surplice?

  A white vestment used by Catholics
• What did the Royal Injunctions mandate regarding the surplice?

  It made wearing the surplice compulsory