The Root and Branch Petition

• This was a petition of 15 000 signatures from the citizens of London which was presented to Parliament in December 1640
• It is known as the "Root and Branch Petition“ as it sought to sweep away the existing church hierarchy with its ""roots and branches."""
• The petition listed dozens of reasons for the abolition of the episcopacy
• The House of Commons accepted the "Root and Branch Petition"" and passed the ""Roots and Branch Bill.“"
• The majority of the Commons believed the office of bishop and the policies of Archbishop Laud should be destroyed but were not sure what form of church government to put in their place. They disliked the political role Bishops had assumed under Laud
• Many moderates viewed the bishops as an essential part of church and social order and were reluctant to vote for their abolition
• There was concern that the abolition of episcopacy would lead to a breakdown of censorship and rise of radical ideas
• The House of Lords (which included many bishops) opposed the Root and Branch Bill entirely. They resented any pressure from the people to reorganize their House.
• The Bill was rejected June 1641 and shelved until August 1641
• The issue of religious reform split Parliamentary unity. Concerns over religion amongst other things was the cause of the formation of the royalist party in the House of Commons after April 1641