Personal Rule: religion

What was Charles' religious policy?

Aims:

-Charles promoted William Laud and Arminian ideas of religious conformity to strengthen his rule

-He was eager to overturn the Elizabethan compromise

What was Laudianism?

It was a new framework for organising the Church, it was William Laud's changes to the Church service and clergy.

What was the overall aim of Laudianism?

1. Anti-predestination. Laud and Arminians (and Anglicans) believed in the chance of salvation through faith. Predestination is the idea that God had already chosen you to be saved, so if you haven't been chosen, you're not going to be saved.

2. Less emphasis on the Bible and preaching and more emphasis on ritual and ceremony.

3. Uniformity- to bind the kingdoms and country together through the uniformity of the Church. Order, obedience and authority were the key themes.

What was the Laudian belief of the 'Beauty of Holiness'?

There was an increased emphasis on ceremony, decoration and ministers wearing vestments.

What was the issue with the Communion table?

Laud had wanted to move the communion table back to where it was traditionally in Catholic churches, at the east end of the Church, railed off from ordinary people and covered with an elaborate communion cloth. The real issues for Anglicans was that Laud and Charles insisted on uniformity in the style of worship and were prepared to enforce their changes. Bishops and Archbishops were appointed to political positions and this alienated members of the gentry.

How was the Court of High Commission used?

The use of the Court of High Commission, the church court, to enforce the reforms and for punishing people who refused to comply or who objected to the reforms in print helped to reinforce the 'absolutist' feel of the reforms and to encourage sympathy for the 'victims' of the court.

What were some oppositions to Laud's reforms?

They were not universally popular but they divided opinion; many members of the Church and laity did not feel welcome in the new style church and they looked back wistfully to the Jacobean and Elizabethan Churches as more inclusive and more representative of Anglicanism.

How did Archbishop Laud apply Thorough to the Church of England?

By imposing uniformity, destroying Puritanism, restoring the fabric of the church and using the church's authority to reinforce the Divine Right of Kings.

How did Archbishop Laud impose uniformity?

-Strict conformity to the Book of Common Prayer as required by law.

-Strict adherence to the thirty-nine articles and to existing ecclesiastical canons.

-Priests to wear vestments, to bow at the name of Jesus, and to light candles on the altar.

-Clergy who refused to conform were disciplined, suspended or deprived of their livings.

-Altar rails to separate the altar from the rest of the Church, creating a sacred rail in which only the priest was allowed.

How did Archbishop Laud restore the fabric of the Church?

-Many churches were dilapidated after years of neglect. Common problems included lead stolen from roofs; animals wandering freely into churches; churches used as markets, pigsties and stables.

-Laud tried to address the fundamental economic reasons for the impoverishment of the Church and the clergy: since the Reformation, tithes were paid to the gentry instead of the clergy in many parishes. This provoked hostility from some landowners who accused Laud of threatening their property.

How did Laud destroy Puritanism?

- Laud used the Courts of High Commission and Star Chamber to prosecute Puritan critics of the Church.

-In 1603, Alexander Leighton was fined, pilloried, lashed, had his ears cut off, his nose slit and his cheeks branded for attacking the bishops in 'Sion's plea against the Prelacy'.

- Hostile books and pamphlets were censored.

- Town corporations and individuals who appointed Puritan lecturers to give street sermons were prosecuted.

Burton, Bastwick and Prynne case in 1637- Puritan critics.

How did Laud use the Church's authority to reinforce the DROK's?

- Laud encouraged the clergy to preach sermons supporting the divine nature of royal authority.

- Bishops were given prominent places in Charles' government. In 1635 Bishop Juxon of London became Lord Treasurer.