To what extent, by 1571, had Elizabeth I solved the religious problems which had faced Edward VI and Mary I?

Support within the church

- Neither Edward or Mary gained total support from within the Church
- Caused them problems as they lacked the support to be successful
- Elizabeth, after establishing herself as Supreme Governor, was able to gain the support of the majority of Catholics
- Provided a 'happy medium' that the majority of religious groups would be content with
- CA: Elizabeth couldn't stamp out recusancy, only suppress it

Practices

- Religious practices of both Mary and Edward had been problematic, especially Mary's persecution of Protestants
- Elizabeth's Prayer Book allowed for the Eucharist to be recognised by both Catholics and Protestants
CA: Elizabeth failed to establish a common liturgy by 1571. Many areas still used the Catholic Missal

Impact on politics

- Edward lacked support from all elements of the political nation
- Mary struggled to include all elements
- Until 1569 the Elizabethan Settlement had the support of the vast majority of the political nation, and helped Elizabeth deal with Mary Queen of Scots

Conclusion

- In the short term Elizabeth established religious policy a lot more successfully than either Edward VI or Mary I
- Overall mostly a success, though she still faced problems with Catholics and Puritans
- Religious problems shown in the Norther Rebellion (1569)