The Middle Way

Why did Elizabeth introduce the Middle Way?

She wanted to avoid the traumatic extremism of the reigns of her siblings

What religion was Elizabeth?

Protestant, although not strongly as she didn’t mind introducing many Catholic elements to the national religion

Examples of Protestant practices

Not acknowledging the pope as the leader of religion as the ruler of England was the leader of the Church of England

Examples of Catholic views

The Pope was the leader of the religion, the celebration of mass (holy communion) and the priests wearing vestments

What two laws did Elizabeth pass?

The Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity

What was the Act of Supremacy?

It made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church of England - this wording was made so because for Catholics, the only leader of the church is the Pope so Elizabeth avoided conflict. This was also sensible because there was a strict prohibition of foreign leadership in the Church of England which meant that denying Elizabeth’s position within the church would be considered treason

What was the Act of Uniformity?

This made Protestantism the official religion of England, set out the rules of religious practice and worship through a revised prayer book - this retained some Catholic traditions which Elizabeth hoped would make a good compromise and keep her people happy

How much support did Elizabeth receive for the Middle Way?

Broad across England since very few people refused to take the new oath of loyalty to Elizabeth, so her tolerant approach seemed to have worked, although she faced numerous threats from the extremists in Catholicism and Puritanism (since these objected any compromise with the Catholics)

How did Elizabeth appease Catholics?

They kept the Pope as the head of Catholicism while Elizabeth was the supreme governor of the Church of England, the church maintained its pre-reformation structure with archbishops, bishops etc, catholic ornaments were allowed on service tables (such as candles and crosses), and priests could still wear vestments