Church of England - its role in society

• Roles of the Church of England:

  • Encouraged obedience to the queen
  • Gave advice to people during difficulties
  • Managed church courts
• The church of england would send bishops around the country to ensure Churches were following Elizabeth's religious settlement every three years
• Role of the parish clergy in villages:

  • Conducted services (weddings, baptism etc)
  • Advice during difficult times e.g. poor harvests
  • Were paid by tithes and gentry
• Parish clergy in towns were usually responsible for a wider range of problems such as poverty, disease and plague