Chapter 4: How successfully did Elizabeth deal with Religion?

Catholic Church

The Christian church led by the Pope.

Henry VIII

King who separated England from the Catholic Church.

Edward I

Would introduce Protestant reforms and a new prayer book.

Mary I

Restored Catholicism and initiated Marian persecution.

Marian persecution

Persecution of Protestants under Mary I's rule.

Mary Queen of Scots

Claimed by Catholics as rightful queen of England.

Puritans

Extreme Protestants who would reject Catholic traditions.

Acts of Supremacy

Established Elizabeth as head of the Church.

Acts of Uniformity

Standardized worship practices across England.

Protestantism

Christian faith rejecting papal authority.

Elizabethan Church

Protestant structure with Catholic rituals.

Religious compromise

Settlement balancing Protestant and Catholic beliefs.

Excommunication

Papal decree removing someone's membership from the church.

Foreign powers

Countries that could influence England's religious stability.

House of Commons

Parliamentary body with many Protestant members.

House of Lords

Parliamentary body with many Catholic members.

Marian exiles

Protestants who fled abroad during Mary I's reign.

Roger Ascham

Elizabeth's Protestant tutor during her upbringing.

Bishops and archbishops

Catholic hierarchy retained in Elizabeth's church.

Religious stability

Desire for a consistent and peaceful religious practice. (Summary)

English Bible

Bible translated into English under Henry VIII. (Summary)

New prayer book

Introduced by Edward I for Protestant worship.

Act of Supremacy

Established Elizabeth as head of the Church.

Act of Uniformity

Outlined practices of the new Church of England.

Book of Common Prayer

1552 text mandated for all churches.

English Bible Requirement

Bible and services must be conducted in English.

Clergy Vestments

Clergy allowed to wear specific religious garments. (Summary)

Oath of Loyalty

Mandatory pledge of allegiance to Elizabeth.

Recusants

Individuals refusing to attend church services.

Fine for Recusance

1 shilling

Royal Injunctions

Instructions to clergy ensuring church uniformity.

Visitations

Commissioners checked compliance with church rules.

Act of Exchange

Allowed Elizabeth to seize church property.

Episcopacy

Bishops responsible for church administration.

Thirty-nine Articles

Set of beliefs defining the Church of England.

Matthew Parker

New Archbishop of Canterbury, moderate Protestant.

Recusancy Enforcement

Fines for non-attendance not strictly applied.

Council of Trent

Catholic assembly addressing Protestant challenges.

Religious Upheaval

Increased tensions in the 1570s and 1580s.

Puritan Opposition

Puritans sought further changes to the settlement.

Catholic Threats

Catholics plotted against Elizabeth in later years.

Elizabeth's Middle Way

Attempted balance between Catholic and Protestant beliefs.

Clergy Resignations

Over 400 clergy left between 1559-1564.

Papal Reaction

Initially muted criticism from the Pope. (Summary)