Radical Puritans (Separatists)

What was Separatism?

The most extreme form of Puritanism

What did most mainstream Puritans regard Separatists with?

Abhorrence

What did its adherents of Separatists want?

To separate from the Church of England altogether

What did Separatists regard the Church of England as?

Incapable of reforming itself sufficiently to root out all ‘popish’ or ‘superstitious’ practices

What did Separatists want to create?

An independent church congregations

What were they resolutely opposed to?

The queen’s status as Supreme Governor of the Church of England

When did Separatist as a movement emerge?

In the 1580s

Who became the leader of a significant congregation in Norwich?

Robert Browne

What happened when his challenge soon faded out?

He went into exile in the Netherlands with some of his congregation in 1582

What happened when he later returned to England?

He made peace with the authorities in 1585, aided by the good offices of his relative, Lord Burghley

Who led Separatist movements in London?

Henry Barrow and John Greenwood

What was the numbers involved?

Small

Nevertheless, what was their activities sufficient enough to alarm?

The authorities

What did this lead to the passing of?

The Act against Seditious Sectaries in 1593

What was Barrow, Greenwood, and John Penry tried and executed for?

‘Devising and circulating seditious books’

Why did authorities chose to adopt harsh measures against a numerically insignificant movement?

Difficult to explain but vindictiveness on the part of Archbishop Whitgift had been put forward as an explanation

What happened to Elizabethan Separatism?

Was destroyed