James and Religion

• What system had been implemented in Scotland that James didn't want to bring to England?

  Presbyterianism
• Which religious system did James favour?

  Episcopacy
• What view did James hold about his position in the Church?

  Divine Right of Kings, therefore, Head of the Church
• What were the benefits of an episcopal system?

  Maintained social order and supported the Monarch's position
• When was the Hampton Court Conference?


  January 1604
• Who attended the Hampton Court conference?

  9 Bishops led by John Whitgift 5 Puritans including Lawrence Chadderton
• What Puritan concerns were raised at the HCC?


  -catholic style clothing an rituals-Wanted longer sermons-Reduced Pluralism-Wanted a new Bible translation
• What was the main aim of James with relation to religion?

  Win-over the moderates, achieving overall conformity and isolation of extremists.
• What were the results of the HCC?

  -Reduced Pluralism-Reforms to Court of High commission-New Bible translation
• What was the new Bible translation?

  King James BiblePublished in 1611, worked on by both puritans and bishops
• What did ministers have to agree to?

  JI was Supreme Governor of the ChurchThe Prayer Book was biblically sound Hierarchy, including the bishops, was 'agreeable to the word of God
• How successful was James in dealing with ministers?

  Only 80 resignedFrom 1610-1625, only 2 lost their jobs
• What were James' religious aims?

  Maintain unified churchAchieve uniformity to reduce threat of revolt or split supportWanted reform to EI's religious settlementIsolate extremists but not make them into martyrs
• James' success in dealing with Puritans

  Reduced pluralismBy reforming Court of High Commission, it could no longer attack Puritans, minimised risk of revoltNew Bible was put together by mix of puritans and bishopsVery few clergy resigned or were fired after having to accept James' religious declarationsAble to publish 'Book of Sports' in 1618 without Puritan revolt
• James' failure in dealing with Puritans


  Didn't completely solves pluralism due to huge costsHad to make adjustments to Prayer Book
• James' success in preserving the balance in the Church

  -Appointment of bishops from his court-1610 appointed George Abbot ABoC, as Calvinist maintained balance with puritans-Fewer bills to Parliament urging reform throughout reign-Majority of puritans and Catholics conformed to Church and its structure-Able to assert supremacy at HCC
• James' limitations in preserving the balance in the Church

  -Puritans had to be told not comment on royal policy 1622-Abbot was against the 1618 book sports-90 ministers lost their livings, with 300 being silenced-Dragged in 30-years war, religious war-Rev William Glough attacked James on his Book of Sports
• James' attitude to Catholics

  Tolerance, his wife had converted in 1590sAimed to reconciled any groups that would support himOnly needed outward obedienceRealised that most of 40k were loyal subjectsDisliked Jesuits 'puritan papists'Against religious persecution
• Catholic plots against James

  Bye Plot-aimed to force greater toleranceMain Plot-Remove James with catholic cousin lady ArabellaGunpowder plot- Blow up James and Parliament
• Effects of Main Plot

  Recusancy fines suspendedIncreased Catholic observance, growth in 'recusancy'1605 James forced to re-enforce fines, 5560 convicted and fined-led to GPP
• Effects of Gunpowder plot

  Plotters put on trials and executedParliament issued harsh orders against Catholics
• James' success in dealing with Catholics

  Only 25 executed(none after 1619)Number of Catholic increasedSuccesss in separation of moderates and radicals in aftermath of the plots
• James' limitations in dealing with Catholics

  Three major plots against himDidn't achieve universal church
• James and Arminianism


  Originally anti-Arminian, then saw practical use of it, a way to uphold royal authority.Seen by puritans as Catholicism
• James' promotion of Armenians

  Appointed Lancelot Andrews, Richard Neile as bishops because of views on Divine right of KingsGave patronage to William Laud who rose to prominence under Charles
• Causes of growing Puritan opposition

  Arminians seen as catholicsWorried about persecution from Catholics, as seen under Mary IWorried that if James became catholic he would be an autocrat(many puritans in par)With James increasingly drawing closer to his supporters, he further alienated Puritan opposition, vicious cycle.
• Religious policy in Scotland

  Wanted CoE conformityIntroduced Bishops in 1618Forced very unpopular 'Articles of Perth' 1618(not strictly enforced)
• Religious policy in Ireland


  1607- Earls of Ulster into exileGave land to calvinistsJames didn't seek uniformity in the nation split into three faiths
• What were recusants and what section of society were they in?

  Payed fine for not attending set services, therefore limited mostly to those who could afford the heavy fines
• What were Bancroft's Canons?

  Revision of regulations governing the Church, all priests had to subscribe to them. These include the use of the sign of the Cross, the wearing of the surplice and the Thirty-nine Articles.
• When were Bancroft's canons introduced and what effect did they have?

  1604Fewer than 100 puritan priests reigned
• Who was Richard Bancroft?


  Made ABoC until his death in 1610Very anti-puritan
• Why were puritans opposed to Arminians?

  Too similar to Catholics, under who Puritans had suffered (Mary I and Spanish Inquisition).Concerned over promotion of Andrews and Neile and their influence on James in the Privy Counsel
• Why did Puritans fear the Arminian influence on foreign policy?

  James getting too close to Catholics who had inflicted suffering on puritans James wasn't supportive enough of protestants in Europe
• Despite his toleration of Catholics, which group did James view as dangerous?

  Jesuitshe called them 'Puritan papists
• How many Catholics were executed during James' reign?

  25, none after 1619
• What plan did James propose to the Pope?

  A universal Church
• What was a major cause of the Gunpowder plot?

  After relaxing recusancy laws following the Main plot, increased following of Catholicism and reduced attendance, reintroduced fines
• In which parliaments were there votes for increased enforcement of recusancy laws?

  Supported in 1621 and 1624 Parliaments
• Why was reform of the Court of High Commission so significant for Puritans?

  Limited its ability to go after puritans