Religious divisions in 1558

• why was religion important in Elizabethan England

  • it was central to life in Elizabethan England guided peoples morals and behaviour as well as there understanding of the world
• Religious divisions

  • catholics were mainly found in the north of England
  • the reformation of the church led to the division into protestants and catholics
  • some protestants became puritans
  • number of English protestants was growing
• catholic beliefs

  • pope is head of the church
  • church is intermediary between God and people(can forgive sins)
  • during mass transubstantiation
  • 7 sacrements
  • priest can't marry
• Protestant and puritan beliefs

  • personal direct relationship with God via prayer and bible only god can forgive sins
  • bread and wine only represent the body and blood of christ
  • 2 sacrements
  • priests can marry
• catholic practices

  • services in latin
  • priests wear vestments
  • churches highly decorated
• Protestant practices

  • services in English
  • priests wear simple vestments
  • churches plain and simple
• puritan practices

  • services in English
  • priests wear simple vestments
  • churches whitewashed with no decorations