The Puritan Threat

• What did the Puritans want for the English church?

  To make it more Protestant
• Why were the Puritans anti-Catholic?

  They were committed Protestants
• What did the Puritans believe about the English Church?

  It should be free from Catholicism
• Why was preaching important to the Puritans?

  It explained the word of God
• What did the Puritans think about priests' education?

  They should be well educated
• How did the education of priests at the time compare to Puritan beliefs?

  Many priests lacked education
• What did the Puritans encourage among ordinary people?

  Education to read the Bible
• What was the Puritan view on godly living?

  Strict obedience to God's commandments
• What lifestyle did the Puritans believe Christians should live?

  A restrained lifestyle
• What activities did the Puritans oppose?

  Playfulness and idleness
• Which popular pastimes did the Puritans dislike?

  Sports and drinking
• How did the Puritans view public celebrations?

  They disliked them, even for religious events
• What was a more radical view held by some Puritans?

  To eliminate the Church hierarchy
• Why was the radical view of some Puritans a threat to Elizabeth?

  It questioned her authority as Supreme Governor
• What were 'prophesyings' introduced for?

  To teach priests how to preach
• Why were Puritans concerned in the 1570s?

  There was a lack of educated priests
• Who ordered the stop to 'prophesyings' in 1576?

  Elizabeth I
• What was Elizabeth's concern about 'prophesyings'?

  They would encourage Puritan opposition
• Who was the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1576?

  Edmund Grindal
• What was Grindal's opinion on 'prophesyings'?

  He thought they were good for the Church
• What was the consequence of Grindal refusing Elizabeth's orders?

  He was suspended and placed under house arrest
• How did Elizabeth react to Grindal's refusal?

  She became furious
• Who tried to suppress Puritanism?

  Archbishop Whitgift
• What year did Grindal die?

  1583
• Who did Elizabeth appoint as Archbishop of Canterbury after Grindal?

  John Whitgift
• What action did Whitgift take against Puritan clergy?

  He required acceptance of Church regulations
• What was the consequence for priests who did not accept the Church of England's regulations?

  They faced suspension
• How many Puritan priests were suspended during Whitgift's campaign?

  Between 200 and 300
• How did Whitgift's campaign affect some Puritans' views on reform?

  They felt there was no hope for reform
• What did some Puritans decide to do in response to Whitgift's campaign?

  Form a separate church
• Why were Puritan separatists seen as a threat?

  They threatened the religious settlement
• What measures did the government take against Puritan separatists?

  Introduced censorship laws
• What happened to several leaders of the Puritan separatists in 1590?

  They were arrested
• How serious was the threat from Puritan separatists according to the document?

  It probably wasn't as serious as thought
• What was the general status of most Puritans during this time?

  Most were moderates within the Church
• What opposition did Whitgift's campaign face?

  Opposition from the Privy Council and Parliament
• How did Elizabeth handle the opposition to Whitgift's campaign?

  She threatened to dismiss opposing council members
• What did Elizabeth refuse to let Parliament do regarding Whitgift's campaign?

  Discuss the matter