E.E.E - Challenges of the Religious Settlement

What was the nature and the extent of the Puritan challenge?

• main challenge came from the Church of England itself and the clergyman, many disobeyed and didn’t follow the settlement orders.

• biggest issues were over vestments and crucifixes

What was the Crucifix controversy?

• crucifix represented Jesus Christ dying on the cross

• Elizabeth liked them and ordered that each church should have a crucifix for their familiarity and look.

• Puritans thought that these crucifixes were idols

• Puritans didn’t like the crucifixes and threatened to resign

• Elizabeth backed down however she insisted in keeping one in the royal chapel.

What was the Vestment controversy?

• Puritans believed that Priests should not wear elaborate clothing (vestments), they should wear plain and simple robes

• Elizabeth had set out clearly in the royal injunctions that she wanted al priest to wear vestments

• The Archbishop of Canterbury issued guidelines for priests in his ‘Book of Advertisements’

• An exhibition was held in London to show priests what vestments to wear and when

• Out of 110, 37 refused to attend

• Majority of priests consented to Elizabeth insistence on vestments

What was the nature and extent of the Catholic challenge?

• Catholics were trying to fight back the influence of Protestantism through the counter-reformation

• They supported local communities, persecuting heretics and waging war against Protestants.

• In 1566, Pope Pius issued a papal bull ordering English Catholics not to attend the Church of England services

• In the North, ancient Catholic families such as Westmorland and Northumberland resented the growth and influence of Protestant courtiers and families, they grew less influential as the day passed.

• They decided to revolt and this was known as the Revolt of the Northern Earls

• Elizabeth fought back and this caused the Catholic army to retreat.

• From the 1570s onwards, Elizabeth’s treatment with the Catholics would change.