Puritan Threat Controversies

• Thomas Cartwright delivered a series of lectures at Cambridge Uni in 1570.


  What was this:

  • Calvinist ideas becoming popular in Europe. Supported by Puritans. Suggested Church shouldn't have a hierarchy and should have no bishops.

  Why a threat:

  • People wanted to remove Elizabeth's power from the Church.
• Prophesising


  What was this:

  • Prayer meetings - Bible discussed. Criticised Queen, spread Puritan ideas. Archbishop of Canterbury is the most important.

  Why a threat:

  • Puritans holding training sessions about their ideas. Grindal (Archbishop of Canterbury) refused to close them down.
• John Whitgift


  What was this:

  • Strictly followed Elizabeth's religious settlement. Grindal's eventual replacement as Archbishop of Canterbury.

  Why a threat:

  • Cause Puritan's to break away and start their own congregation. Not following Elizabeth.
• Debates in Parliament


  What was this:

  • Parliament advised Queen on religion & tax. Queen could ignore them, however parliament were gaining in power.

  Why a threat:

  • MP's discussing religious matters in parliament. Some challenged Elizabeth. Gaining in power.
• What happened with Cartwright?

  • Cartwright called for abolishing of Bishops in his lectures.
  • No mention of Queen as Supreme Governor.
  • Suggested Church hierarchy should be removed which undermined the Queen's authority.
• What happened with Prophesising?

  • Elizabeth was concerned the meetings spread Puritan ideas.
  • Grindal the Archbishop of Canterbury refused to shut them down.
  • Elizabeth placed Grindal under house arrest until he died.
• What happened with John Whitgift?

  • Whitgift introduced 3 articles where all members of the clergy have to swear an acceptance to Bishops.
  • As a result 300 ministers were suspended.
  • A Puritan MP had his hand cut off for criticising the Queen and was imprisoned.
  • Puritans had two main congregations; the Separatists or the Brownists.
• What happened about Debates in Parliament?

  • Puritan ideas were debated in parliament.
  • In 1576, the Queen stated that MP's were no longer allowed to discuss religion.
  • Peter Wentworth MP challenged this and was imprisoned as a result.