Elizabeth I

When did Elizabeth become Queen?

1558

What were Liz's religious beliefs?

More inclined to be protestant as she was brought up by Protestant tutors and her mother was a reformist (Anne Boleyn), however she attempted a 'via media' approach as a middle ground between Catholicism and Protestantism. She preferred unmarried clergy: Catholic. But rejected transubstantiation: Protestant.

Why did Elizabeth attempt the 'via media' approach instead of a full scale attempt of reform?

She had seen the rebellions in her brother and sister's reigns triggered by their extremity.

Who was Liz's first archbishop?

Parker

Who was Liz's second archbishop?

Grindal

Who was Liz's third archbishop?

Whitgift

Name the factors impelling Elizabeth towards reform.

-She was illegitimated by the Catholic religion in Mary's reign.

- Royal Supremacy gives her the power and money from church land.

- Mary's illness, bad harvests and supposed failure of her reign could be seen as a message from God.

- Determined exiles that returned during her reign pushing for reform.

Name the factors that impelled Elizabeth towards Catholicism.

- Threat of invasion if England became too protestant.

- Bishops: influential

Why did Elizabeth have no choice but to seek help from Protestant council?

They bishops turned against her: not a single cleric in the House of Lords voted for either the Act of Supremacy or the Act of Uniformity, despite having accepted supremacy in Henry's reign.

What evidence is there that the Act of Uniformity was unpopular in Parliament?

9 lay men voted against its introduction including Rich, Winchester and Shewsbury who had voted for Supremacy.

The Uniformity bill was passed by 21 votes to 18- very close.

What did Elizabeth include in her religious settlement of 1559?

Act of Supremacy

Act of Uniformity

Act of Exchange

How was the settlement enforced?

39 articles 1562

Injunctions

Visitations

In what ways was the Act of Uniformity reformist?

That it was compulsory to attend regular church services- fine of 1 shilling if this was not done.

New prayer book was based on the 1552 prayer book: still explicitly reformist in its theology.

In what ways was the Act of Uniformity conservative?

It removed the Black Rubric: meant moderate Protestants and Catholics could believe in transubstantiation.

Although the prayer book was more reformist, it was deliberately ambiguous.

Brought back clerical vestments that Edward had banned.

What did the Act of Supremacy do?

Made Elizabeth Supreme Governor of the Church in England.

200/4000 clergy deprived for refusing to take an oath- lower clergy conformed more easily.

What was the Act of Exchange?

It meant the crown could exchange land of a spiritual nature for non spiritual properties. eg) church buildings for castles.

Bishops could rent out land but not for over 21 years unless to the crown. - kept church land high in price- Queen's interest made clerical land attractive.

When were the 39 articles published?

1562

What did the 39 articles do?

They promoted confession of faith.

Who wrote the 1562 Book of Homilies?

Archbishop Parker.

What did Parker's book of Homilies do?

Provided clear exposition of the doctrines of the church of England in a form that could be understood by clergy and congregation.

What did the Injunctions in 1559 require each parish to have?

A copy of the English Bible and a copy of "Erasmus".

What did the Injunctions encourage?

The marriage of priests: however had to get special permission from the bishop and Justice of Peace.

How did the Injunctions limit Catholic propaganda?

Said that publications had to be approved by commissioners of bishops first.

What was Catholic about the Injunctions of 1559?

Made clear that the communion tables were to return to the traditional place for a Eucharist at the East. However, people ignored her injunctions for convenience: the tables were too heavy to move back and fourth.

What did the visitations show?

That 400 clergy were deprived of positions: 12 of 13 bishops. 1/2 were openly Catholic. This showed the lack of opposition at first to the religious settlement as clergy members merely resigned- no rebellion. Showed the little influence of Catholicism in E's settlement.

In the first 2 years of her reign, what fractions of bishops appointed were Marian exiles?

2/3

Name 4 Marian exiles that Elizabeth appointed as bishops before 1560.

Jewel, Sandys, Cox and Grindal.

What was significant about the Marian exiles becoming bishops?

Their religious views had been shaped by their exile experience: they had seen a Puritanical Church therefore pushed this further in England.

Why did the Queen end up dissolving Parliament?

Puritans challenged the Queen's right to veto and proposed a new committee to discuss her marriage. MPs then lied in House of Commons by saying the Queen had agreed to marry a named successor and should add a bill. She exploded in rage and dissolved parliament.

What did Thomas Norton do in 1571?

He added a harsher clause to the Treason act that specifically excluded Mary Queen of Scots from the succession.

Who was Thomas Cartwright?

The speaker of the Puritans. He believed that bishops shouldn't govern the Church in his diocese and should only have a spiritual role.

Why were the Puritans weak?

They had no set leader and varied opinions.

What happened to the National Church over time?

It grew stronger and more established. Begun to win propaganda war: John Foxe's Book of Martyrs showed how 100s had died for the Church so must be right.

Why were Puritan ideas limited?

They were influenced from foreign ideas such as Calvin in Geneva - Presbyterian system. The Queen used this to keep traditional English values and ignore continental ideas which became popular.

When did the Puritans try to channel energies towards Convocation rather than Parliament and try to increase penalties for Catholics and pass an act successfully making penalties for those Catholics who refused Oath of Supremacy twice?

1563

When did Elizabeth turn ill?

1562/3

What did Elizabeth turning ill do to Puritan attitude?

Made them fear the succession of Mary, Queen of Scots and how easy it was for this to happen- Catholic successor. Pushed for Elizabeth to marry and demanded the Queen should find a suitable husband.

When was the bill for 'the better observance of the sabbath'?

1585

What 2 important moves were done in Parliament by Thomas Wilcox and John Field in 1572?

1) Admonition to the Parliament

2) A view of popish abuses yet remaining in the English Church.

Who were Barrow and Greenwood?

Separatist groups in London and Norwich. Arrested and imprisoned 1587 for holding illegal religious meeting. But they could still write pamphlets which were published abroad.

Who didn't support the Puritans?

Parish clergy and Protestant preachers: Catholic intellectuals at Oxford and Cambridge opted for exile rather than conversion to Protestantism.

Name the limitations of Puritans.

Lack of parish clergy support, lack of clergy, conflict between puritan leaders, theological ideas.

Give statistic about shortage of clergy in Puritans.

1576 Peterborough had 230 clergy for 290 parishes.

How did Puritan leaders fall out amongst themselves?

Underfunding to pluralists: complained about sin and corruption- they were still there. - relgious divisions confirmed and consolidated.

What were the theological ideas of the Puritans?

Ideas about predestination meant they couldn't hope to convert masses to their cause.

Their doctrine of faith alone and predestination meant only a select few elites were worthy of salvation- national church deemed unnecessary since majority of population were doomed to damnation.

What did the Separatists believe?

They rejected the entire concept of a national church. Thought national church must contain those who were irretrievably damned- shouldn't be allowed.

Who was Robert Browne?

Separatist leader set up a separatist church in Norwich.

Why was Robert Browne's church significant?

Produced a number of books that highlighted how he felt there was no need to subscribe to the official church.

Who did Robert Browne disagree with?

Thomas Cartwright about the possibility of reforming the official church from within.

Why did Browne flee England?

Robert Harrison and himself fell out. Harrison urged the godly Christians to look to reformed churches elsewhere in Europe.

How serious was the threat from abroad?

Gained more support in the 1580s. Increased as fear of Catholic became more intense.

Thought Elizabeth was to marry French Duke of Anjou. Widespread panic that E might be assassinated and replaced by Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots.

When was law passed against Catholics that increased recusancy fines?

1581

When was the New Treason Act clause against missionary priests made?

1585

How many Catholics were executed between 1580 and 1600?

200

When was Mary, Queen of Scots, executed?

1587

When did John Whitgift become Archbishop of Canterbury?

1583

Who was Whitgift?

His mission was to destroy the Puritan threat.

What did Whitgift produce?

The Lambeth Articles aka the Three Articles. All clergy now had to swear an oath to 1) Supremacy 2) to use the Prayer Book 3) 39 articles.

How many clergy refused to subscribe to the Lambeth Articles?

400

When were the 24 Questions produced?

1584

What were the 24 Questions produced?

Put to Puritan leaders to find out what they'd been doing. Pressure increases on Puritans: questions were enforced by Court of High Commission which got truth by people to take an oath to the bible promising to tell the truth.

What was the oath called that Puritan leaders had to take in order to tell the truth in answering the 24 Questions?

Ex officio oath

What were the Classes?

Attempts to set up their own Church within the Church of England. Threat to the Bishops. Threat to Elizabeth's control of the Church. Made the Puritans more organised.

When were the Marprelate Tracts?

1588-1589. Serious threat to settlement. Denounced senior clergy- bishops mainly.

What was the Catholic clergy reaction to the settlement?

Many refused to conform so were expelled from the church. All but one bishop refused to conform.

What was the Catholic lay men reaction to the settlement?

High proportion refused to conform. 100 catholic people of Oxford colleges resigned to avoid taking an oath to the Supremacy act. Many fled abroad and ended up in Catholic low countries.

Why did Catholics flee to low countries?

Could practice religion freely.

Easy here for them to argue Catholicism was about tradition and Protestantism, was new and therefore wrong.

Produced Catholic propaganda to undermine the Protestant settlement.

Since the government was weak what were the clergy able to do?

Carry on as before or conform openly and secretly have mass.

FIGURE: Examination in Lincolnshire found that after original visitations 1559, in 1566 60% hadn't removed altars and only 25% had removed rood lofts.

Why did some Catholics feel they could conform to the religious settlement?

Some parts of the settlement were Catholic: Traditional vestments allowed, transubstantiation allowed and could kneel and eat bread and wine, therefore some felt they could adapt.

Why did many of the lay men ignore the changes of Elizabethan settlement?

Thought it would be short lived like Edward and Mary's reigns. Therefore, a majority went for occasional conformity- attended often enough to stay out of trouble. CHURCH PAPISTS.

When was the rising of the Northern Earls?

1569

What were the causes of the rising of the Northern Earls?

Mary Queen of Scots fled Scotland to England, forced to leave behind her son James VI who would now be brought up as a protestant. This appeared threatening to Catholics. Catholics also already saw Mary as the legitimate heir to the throne. Plotting began when Mary arrived.

What were the events of the rising of the Northern Earls?

- Male Earls aged 16 to 60 were called to set forth true Catholic religion.

- They marched to Durham Cathedral and took down Protestant evidence and held mass. They then marched South- 5000 men. Powerful demonstration.

Why were the Northern Earls so strong?

There were good numbers of troops, and the memories of Pilgrimage of Grace 1536 had lived on through generations. They felt they were defending true religion: they had the same aims to resotre Catholicism and bring back the old religion.

Why did the Northern Earl rising fail?

They turned back after 15 miles West which lost them support and government had built up defence to pursue them. Leaders fled to Scotland- didn't take the rising seriously. 'luke warm' approach. EG) Earl of Westmoreland- reluctant rebel influenced by uncle.

What was the gov. reaction from rising?

Shaken up. 2/3 of North JPs were Catholic (William Cecil calculated it). Rebellion was a reminder of the huge potential the North for rebellion: caused regime to think carefully about links between Catholicism and treachery.

When was excommunication?

1570

What was the name of the pope who issued the papal bull?

Pope Pius V

What was excommunication?

Pope Pius V issued Regnans In Excelsis that excommunicated Elizabeth from the church: deprived her of her title 'Queen of England', subjects were not to obey her orders- if they did they would also be excommunicated from the church. (encouraged rising against the Queen).

What was the impact of excommunication?

Split in opinions. Before, majority had conformed to the new settlement: allegiance to Crown seen as more important than new religion, Crown claimed to be in charge of religious doctrine. NOW- being forced to choose between Crown and religion, as Pope said there were no longer compromises. SERIOUS INCREASED.

Who was excommunication particularly a problem for?

Catholic papists who thought they could go to Church services just frequently enough not to get in to trouble, and continue Catholicism in secret: NOW Pope saying this was not acceptable.

When was the Ridolfi Plot?

1571

What was the Ridolfi Plot?

Ridolfi, an italian banker, decided to create his own plot: no need for a rising but need to assassinate the Queen and replace her with Mary. Mary would be married to Thomas Howard. Development more serious- than in 1569- plot blown off course by Norfolk's lack of resolution.

Who supported the Ridolfi plot?

Supporters of Mary, Pope Pius V, Philip II, Duke of Alva

What was the reaction to the Ridolfi plot?

Walsingham: spy for Elizabeth who found out about the plot. Demanding the death of Mary and Norfolk - 1572 Elizabeth agreed to execute Norfolk but not enough for Protestants who saw Mary as the real threat. Elizabeth refused to executed Mary however.

What treason was made that was harsher on Catholic penalties?

Treason to claim that Elizabeth wasn't the true Queen and call her a heretic.

When did Missionary priests arrive?

1574

What did William Allen do?

He set up a new college for exiled English Catholics in Douai. Number increased after the failure of the Northern rising. Increasing number of young men coming to the Continent to convert to Rome- good supply of recuits for college. By 1576 estimated around 236 Englishmen were studying at William Allen's college.

Along with the arrival of seminary priests, what else came?

Literature from a number of Catholics at the College.

What was William Allen's view?

Unacceptable for Catholics to have anything to do with the heretical Church of England.

When was the first execution of a priest from Allen's college?

1577

What were the aims of the Jesuits?

Very dedicated. Simply a spiritual aim- not to trigger rebellions or to speak badly of the Queen. Society of Jesus. Type of missionary priests: Parsons and Campion were the first 2 to arrive in England.

What work did the Jesuits do?

Parsons and Campion produced many pamphlets. Parsons produced Decem Rationes (10 reasons) explains his commitment and confidence. Campion executed 1581 after famously saying "In condemning us you condemn all your own ancestors". Before Campion's death he was asked to conform but refused: 1570s him and Parsons had actually conformed before going to Rome.

What was their great impact?

Government prepared to bend laws to secure the execution of Campion for treason. New acts introduced: stiffened Catholic penalties.

How were Catholic penalties stiffened?

Recusancy fines increased from 1 shilling a week to £20 a month.

What was their weak impact?

Not as serious as the government thought: government tried to win the propaganda war as people sympathised with Campion. Strengthened English Catholicism HOWEVER: numbers too small to make a big difference. Between 1582 and 1586 no more than 1 Jesuit active in England.

What was the Francis Throckmorton plot?

Plot against E in favour of Mary Queen of Scots used French Duke of Guise to plan invasion to England. Wanted to help Mary as she had been the Queen of France. William of Orange assassinated 1584 by a Catholic fanatic: chances of E's murder grew stronger.

When was the Bond of Association?

1584

What was the Bond of Association?

A protestant reaction to Throckmorton's plot and E's refusal to marry and produce an heir and execute Mary. Protestants still thought Mary was involved with the plots. All those who signed were agreeing to kill Mary without trial if E is assassinated by a Catholic. Parliament endorsed Bond: 1585. E still did nothing claiming there was no evidence that Mary was against her. She was unwilling to murder innocent cousin in the name of religion.

When was the Parry plot?

1585