James I: Religion

• Protestantism


  The dominant branch of Christianity in England since Henry VIII's reformation
• Protestantism in the 1600s


  • Belief in predestination
  • Need for elders to impose discipline on church members
• England only allowed one national church and the monarch was head
• Protestant groups in England

  • Puritans (believed church not reformed enough)
  • Armenians (wanted to avoid radical change)
• Divine Right of Kings

  James' belief that he held authority over the church and demanded its obedience
• James was raised Presbyterian but appreciated the Anglican Church because of its hierarchical structure
• CATHOLIC CHALLENGES


  There was hostility to Catholics because of the reformation, the burning of protestants and war against Catholic Spain during Elizabeth’s reign. However, most Catholics were politically passive. Although James was not harsh to Catholics, he did enforce anti-Catholic actions when he deemed it needed. In January 1606 parliament passes two laws, although James did not enforce them.
• GUNPOWDER PLOT 1605 & OATH OF ALLEGIANCE 1606


  The plot was an attempt by some radicals to blow up parliament. This was because James had to deviate from his promised to show tolerance and fined those who did not go to Church of England services. The oath of allegiance Required Catholics to sign an allegiance to the English monarchs
• His daughter


  Married Frederick V
• His son Charles

  Was supposed to marry the Spanish princess, but she refused to
• James


  Was willing to adopt the 1559 Act of Uniformity to allow churches a one-year transition to the Book Of Common Prayer
• James had no problem with loyal Catholics
• The Millenary Petition - April 1603


  English Puritans gave James a petition signed by 1,000 ministers, they wanted further reformation in church services, freedom for ministers to not wear robes and educational requirements for ministers
• In 1603 July


  James announced that all income from tithes would be used to paying better salaries for church ministers
• The Hampton Court Conference in 1604


  It was a debate with representatives from a religious spectrum, it was mainly successful and allowed a new English translation of the Bible known as the King James Bible which was completed in 1611
• Bancroft's Canons


  New church and James passed a convocation of church of England clergymen
• Bancroft's Canons September 1604


  1. The new law upheld many orthodox practices

  2. Bancroft ordered that all clergy who refused to conform should be expelled from positions
• Only 1% of ministers didn't approve Bancroft Canons (Silenced Brethren)
• James was forced to accept puritan loyalty


  After they made a petition
• Arminianism

  James did not identify himself with Arminianism until the end of his reign
• Tensions were provoked


  By James' foreign policy and 'Spanish match, which showed a shift towards the Arminian group
• The Arminian group supported him diplomatic negotiations with Spain
• James started to move away from his role as arbitrator in Church


  He allowed Arminian clericals like Laud
• In 1624 he didn't censor Montagu's publication of an Arminian tract.(A New Gag for An Old Goose.)