Religious situation

• By 1558 England was being torn apart by religious schism. Elizabeth needed to address this and find a compromise
• In England there were both many commited protestants and catholics however the protestant community was still internally divided as they were trying to agree on the details of theological docttine
• The diverse range of religious opinions led to instability - Eliz saw countries were being sucked into civil wars because of religious conflict and she wanted to avoid this
• Vye law IN 1558 Elizabeth I made a royal proclamation which forbade preaching or using public prayers which were not approved - until parliament agreed in new legislation
• Elizabeth wanted a bishops led church to have central control through a clear church hierarchy, it made the church of England lool more like the Catholic church which helped avoid foreign backlash and bishops were a traditional structure and she didnt want radical protestant independence
• Elizabeth tried to keep Catholic Marian bishops but most refused to accept her authority so she had to appoint protestants instead
• Aft of exchange 1559 have the queen powers to swap church lady for royal property and reduced church's wealth and independence
• Crucifix controversy- protestant inspectors destroyed Catholic images and vestments - 400 clergy were moved between 1559 - 1564 - Elizabeth ordered crucifixes to be restored in churches but backed down when bishops resisted