Britain 1625-1701: Religious Conflict and the Church of England

Flashcards covering the key concepts, events, and figures related to the religious conflicts and developments in England from 1625 to 1701, particularly focusing on the Church of England, Puritanism, and the reactions to Catholicism.

What is a confessional state?

A confessional state is a state where a single national church is established and maintained by the government, and failure to attend its services can result in punishment.

What was the status of the Church of England in 1625?

England was a confessional state with beliefs set out by the Church of England as outlined in the Book of Common Prayer.

What significant change occurred in English religious policy by 1688?

England was no longer a confessional state, as most religious groups were tolerated.

Who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church in 1517?

Martin Luther

What did Martin Luther criticize about the Catholic Church?

He claimed that the Catholic Church had replaced prayer with preaching and superstition.

What role did the Church of England play in education during its prominence?

main source of education and controlled societal aspects, promoting regular church attendance.

What was the impact of Henry VIII's death on the Church of England?

his daughter Mary reversed Protestant reforms, and his other daughter Elizabeth sought a middle ground between Catholicism and Anglicanism.

Who were the Puritans?

Protestants who believed that the Church of England was too focused on rituals and superstition, distracting from a genuine faith in Jesus.

What was James I's approach towards the Puritans?

Attempted to steer clear of the Puritans but did not seek to silence them completely.

What was the Church of Scotland based on?

Established on Puritan principles and operated under a Presbyterian system.

How did Puritans seek to understand God's purpose? X4

• Read the Bible

• Prayed

• Debated,

• considered worldly events as signs of God’s Providence.

What were most people uncomfortable with relating to Charlies?

His affiliation with Aermenianism

What is predestination according to Puritans?

God has predetermined who will achieve salvation and who is condemned to hell.

How do Puritan beliefs conflict with Catholicism?

Puritan beliefs deny the ability to earn passage to heaven through merit or behavior, while Catholicism teaches that seeking forgiveness is essential for salvation.

What does recusancy refer to?

Resistance against the authority and beliefs of the Church of England.

How did Catholics react to the Church of England's authority?

Continuing to practice their religion, despite facing fines and persecution.

What was the anti-Calvinist reaction by 1625?

particularly from James I, who found Parliamentary restrictions irritating.

Why was anti catholic feeling already established within england internationally?

Great rivals:

Spain
France

ruled by Catholic monarchies

What central argument did Arminius present against Calvinism?

claiming that God gave man free will to reject salvation.

How did Protestants view the Catholic Church in relation to salvation?

a force of evil by corrupting the early Christian Church and essential doctrines of salvation by faith alone.

What public expression of Arminian ideas occurred in 1624?

Richard Montagu published an attack on Calvinist doctrine, which led to complaints, but King Charles protected him.

What did the apparent move towards elevating the clergy challenge?

All men were created equal

What did empharsis on the role and power of bishops in governmening reek of and threaten?

Catholicism

Threatened individual relations with God

When were Presobyterians established?

After Henry VII Seperated from the church

What impact did Laud's appointment as Archbishop have on the Church of England?

Systematic enforcement of Arminian ideas, causing conflict within the church.

Who punished dissenting ministers who criticsed Lauds reforms?

Star Chamber

What is an example of as a case by the Star chamber?

John Bastwick

How did the church look different under Laud?

• Change in decoration

• Organs were installed

• Fonts were decorded

• Statues of coloured

Why did the puritans not like organs?

Believed it took away focus from the Congregration

When was the Root and Branch Petition?

1640

Who supported the Root and Branch petition?

Many in the city of London

What was the the Root and Branch Petition in 1640? x4

Petition listed religous grievances relating:

• the clergy

• restrictions on preaching

• encouragement of Armenian and Catholic ideas

• Asked for abolition of the Episcopacy

What was the outcome of the attempt to abolish episcopacy?

The attempt to abolish episcopacy failed

Why did the attempt to abolish episocpacy fail?

due to strong resistance from the monarchy and many members of the Church of England who supported the traditional hierarchical structure.

What was signed in 1643?

The Covenant with the Scots

What did the Covenant with the Scots aim to establish?

sought to establish a Presbyterian form of church organization.

In what year did Parliament officially resolve to establish a Presbyterian Church?

1645.

Why was Parliament initally distracted when forming a Presbyterian church?

Quarrels between Presbyterians, the cirty of London and the independent

Why was the New Model Army significant in the context of religious radicalism?

The New Model Army promoted radical religious ideas and threatened Presbyterian authority.

Where was a breeding idea for radical religous ideas?

The army

What plans were the NMA threatening to?

Presbyterian plans of establishing a new church

What did the events in 1647 do to Presbyterian hopes?

Collapsed them as unlikely the King would agree to meaningful change

Who sent out preachers to convert other areas to their religous in 1654?

Quakers under George Fox

After the civil war what did many people go home and do?

Returned to civilian lives but many leaders sypathised with the desire of the godly for toleration for their own churches

What did Cromwell aim to achieve during his rule? x3

• aimed to reform the government

• create a godly society

• and encourage a reformation of manners.

Who was the church place under the control of under Cromwell?

2 Committees of Ministers :

• Triers

• Ejectors

What was the role of the Triers and Ejectors?

Ensure that the ministers who in the church were competent, well educated and capable of preaching the word of god

What did Cromwell believe about persecution of religous groups?

All people were entitled to find their own way to god as long as it didnt cause harm to others

What was the Rump Parliament's response to radical groups?

The Rump passed the Blasphemy Act to impose severe penalties on radical activities.

What was the context of the Declaration of Indulgence issued by Charles II in 1672?

The Declaration aimed to give dissenters the freedom not to attend Anglican services but was met with resistance.

How did the Exclusion Crisis impact dissenters?

The Exclusion Crisis of 1678-82 united dissenters and Whig allies against Catholic influence.

What was the impact of the Toleration Act of 1650?

The Toleration Act removed the requirement for Anglicans to attend church, but Catholics were still excluded from its protections.

What was the Clarendon Code?

The Clarendon Code was a set of laws aimed at enforcing conformity to the Church of England, severely restricting dissenters.

How did the Great Fire of London in 1666 impact public perception of Catholics?

It sparked rumors of Catholic agents being behind the fire, intensifying anti-Catholic sentiment.

What changes occurred during the Restoration of 1660?

The Restoration reinstated bishops and reintroduced the Act of Uniformity, driving out many non-conformist ministers.

What characterized Charles II's appointments following the Restoration?

Charles II appointed advisers with mixed religious affiliations, including Catholics and modern Puritans.

What was the significance of the Rye House Plot?

The Rye House Plot attempted to assassinate Charles II and heightened fears of a Catholic conspiracy.

How did James II's policies towards Catholics differ from his predecessors?

James II aimed to grant Catholics equal rights, which conflicted with existing laws and caused public hysteria.

What measures did James II take against anti-Catholic sentiments?

James II forbade preaching anti-Catholic sermons and established a court to oversee enforcement of his policies.

How did dissenters survive periods of persecution?

Their commitment to their beliefs, support from sympathizers, and organizational structures played crucial roles in their survival.

What historical events intensified fears of Catholic power in England from 1605 to 1660?

Events such as the Gunpowder Plot, Spanish Armada, and anti-Catholic propaganda contributed to heightened fears.

What distinguishes the Latitudinarian view within the Church of England?

Latitudinarians believed in the rationality of varied religious views and opposed persecution for its irrationality.