1D.6.1.2 The Trial of the Seven Bishops (1688)

• What was the key difference between the religious policies of Charles II and James II?

  Heightened tensions with the Church
• The Test Acts under Charles II required public officials to take oaths against transubstantiation
• James II appointed Catholics to key positions in violation of the Test Acts.
• In which year was James II's Declaration of Indulgence issued?

  1687
• The Declaration of Indulgence suspended the Test Acts, allowing Catholics and dissenters to hold public positions.
• Chronological order of events related to James II's religious policies

  1️⃣ Declaration of Indulgence issued

  2️⃣ Order to read Declaration in churches

  3️⃣ Petition of the Seven Bishops

  4️⃣ Arrest and imprisonment of bishops
• What was James II's order regarding the Declaration of Indulgence in 1688?

  To read it in churches
• Compliance with James II's order to read the Declaration was seen as a violation of the Test Acts by many clergy.
• What event was directly triggered by James II's mandate to read the Declaration in churches?

  Trial of the Seven Bishops
• James II's Declaration of Indulgence removed legal restrictions against Catholics and Protestant dissenters
• The Anglican bishops' resistance to James II's policies led to their arrest and trial.
• Who led the Anglican bishops in submitting the petition against the Declaration of Indulgence?

  Archbishop William Sancroft
• The bishops argued that the Declaration of Indulgence exceeded royal prerogative
• In what year did Archbishop William Sancroft and six other Anglican bishops submit a petition to James II?

  1688
• The petition of the Seven Bishops declared the Declaration of Indulgence exceeded royal prerogative
• The petition argued that the Declaration of Indulgence undermined the Church of England’s legal standing.
• What was the petition of the Seven Bishops considered?

  An act of defiance
• Order the following events related to the Seven Bishops in 1688.

  1️⃣ Petition Submission

  2️⃣ Arrest and Imprisonment

  3️⃣ Legal Charge

  4️⃣ Public Reaction
• Match the religious policies under Charles II with those under James II.

  Test Acts required oaths against transubstantiation ↔️ Declaration of Indulgence removed legal restrictions

  Suppression of dissenters ↔️ Relaxation of laws against Catholics
• The Declaration of Indulgence aimed to remove legal restrictions against Catholics and Protestant dissenters
• What policy under Charles II suppressed religious dissenters?

  Clarendon Code
• The Declaration of Indulgence promoted religious tolerance towards Catholics and dissenters.
• In 1688, James II mandated that the Declaration of Indulgence be read in all churches
• What was one purpose of James II's order to read the Declaration in churches?

  Enforcement of obedience
• Match the benefits and drawbacks of compliance with James II’s order.

  Maintained royal favor ↔️ Risk of alienating congregations

  Preserved professional position ↔️ Loss of credibility within the church
• Where were Archbishop William Sancroft and six other Anglican bishops imprisoned after refusing to read the Declaration of Indulgence?

  Tower of London
• The detention of the Seven Bishops became a symbol of the conflict between the crown and the Church of England
• In what city did the Trial of the Seven Bishops take place?

  London
• The Seven Bishops were found guilty in their trial.

  False
• How did the public react to the acquittal of the Seven Bishops?

  Celebratory demonstrations
• The acquittal of the Seven Bishops paved the way for the Glorious Revolution.
• What was one consequence of the Trial of the Seven Bishops for the Anglican Church?

  Strengthened authority
• The Trial of the Seven Bishops directly contributed to the invitation of William of Orange to England.