Early Elizabethan England: The Religious Settlement of 1559

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing Elizabeth I's Religious Settlement of 1559, including the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity, Royal Injunctions, public reaction, and church visitations.

The Religious Settlement (1559)

A compromise establishing a form of Protestantism designed to be accepted by Catholics and as many of Elizabeth's subjects as possible.

Act of Supremacy (1559)

Legislation making Elizabeth the supreme governor of the Church of England and requiring all clergy and royal officials to swear an oath of allegiance to her.

Supreme Governor

The official title given to Elizabeth under the Act of Supremacy, designating her as the head of the Church of England.

Act of Uniformity (1559)

Legislation establishing standardized church services across England, introducing the Book of Common Prayer in English, requiring vestments, and penalizing absence from church.

Book of Common Prayer

A prayer book published in English under the Act of Uniformity that all clergy were required to follow during church services.

Vestments

Specific religious garments that priests were required to wear during services under the Act of Uniformity and Royal Injunctions.

Shilling fine

The monetary penalty imposed under the Act of Uniformity on individuals who failed to attend church on Sundays and holy days.

Royal Injunctions (1559)

Detailed instructions issued by William Cecil regulating church appearance, clerical vestments, licensing for preachers, English Bibles in parishes, and banning pilgrimages.

William Cecil

The royal official who issued the Royal Injunctions of 1559 to provide detailed guidance on church appearance, clothing, and services.

Preaching license

A government permit required under the Royal Injunctions before any individual was permitted to preach.

Episcopal response to the Oath of Supremacy

The refusal of 27 out of 28 Marian bishops to take the oath of supremacy, which forced Elizabeth to appoint 27 new Protestant bishops.

Lancashire

A region in England noted for being particularly slow to adopt the new Church of England services following the 1559 settlement.

Visitations

Official inspections of churches and clergy conducted by bishops every 3 to 4 years to enforce the religious settlement and administer the oath of supremacy.

1559 Visitations

The initial round of church inspections which resulted in up to 400 clergy being dismissed and sparked violent destruction of church ornaments and statues in areas like London.

Church courts

Courts operated by the Church of England responsible for ecclesiastical matters, minor disputes, moral issues, and legal oversight of wills and inheritance.