Puritans

• Key Facts:

  • Strict Protestants influenced by extreme protestants in Europe like John Calvin
  • Lived in exile in Europe during the reign of Mary I
  • Keen to eradicate Catholic influence in England
  • Some were appointed as bishops by Elizabeth despite disputes over their robes
• Presbyterians were even stricter, and criticised the queen at popular meetings called prophesying.

  Archbishop of Canterbury, Grindal, encouraged prophesyings, despite criticism, leading to his suspension as archbishop.
• Powerful Puritans:

  • Francis Drake - senior minister, spymaster, kept views to himself
  • Robert Dudley - did nit openly challenge church to protect position as privy councillor
• E's response to Puritanism:

  • Appointed Whitgift as Archbishop
  • Cracked down following the deaths of Dudley (1588) and Walsingham (1590)
  • Measures included:
  • Dismissal/imprisonment of hundreds of clergymen
  • Punishment for printers spreading puritan messages
  • Crackdown on high profile Puritans, like Anthony Cope, imprisoned in the Tower Of London
• Influence declined after 1590:

  • Church of England brought stability and people were unwilling to risk losing it
  • Death of powerful puritans reduced influence in the court
  • Whitgifts crackdown broke the organisation of puritanism
  • Death of John Field - has inspired many and led criticisms of church of England