HISTORY - Britain 1625-1701: Religion

What kind of state was England in 1625?

• Confessional state

• Meant single type of religious practice enforced

• Church was established and maintained by government so failure to attend church was a crime!

• Book of Common Prayer had details of structured church services

• By 1688 no more conf state, toleration for most Christian groups

What had Elizabeth I wanted religiously?

• Toleration between Catholics and Protestants

• Wanted middle ground for cooperation

• She had kept some Catholic traditions like baptism and priestly robes but emphasis was on Protestantism as CoE was Protestant

What had James I done after Elizabeth?

• Insisted on recognition of rules while allowing some freedom to Puritans

• Catholics subject to fines for resisting authority of Church eg not attending services

What did Catholics believe?

• Salvation open to all

• Pope is head and communicates directly by God

• Bishops have special authority passed down through Pope

• Ritual is v important

What did Arminians believe?

• Priests and Bishops have special status to guide people to salvation

• Ritual is more important than preaching from Bible directly

What did Anglicans believe?

• Believed in salvation by faith alone, but guided by the Church

• ceremonies were very useful in achieving salvation

• Priests and Bishops therefore had a central role

What did Baptists believe?

They were Protestant but believed in a variety of religious beliefs

What did Presbyterians/ Puritans believe?

• Slightly more extreme Protestants

• Believed in salvation by faith to those who were predestined.

• Favoured preaching over ritual and ceremony, Presbyterians

  thought there should be no Bishops.

What did Independents believe?

• Pro-toleration. Wanted separate churches to exist outside of the mainstream (Presbyterian) Church

• Found strong membership in the Army

What did Anabaptists believe?

Believed children could not be baptised so insisted on being re-baptised

What did Quakers believe?

• Believed in spiritual equality and held services in silence.

• Extreme members sometimes preached naked

What did Fifth Monarchists believe?

• Active only 1649-1660

• Believed the Civil War and execution of the King were a sign of the imminent return of Christ

What did the Ranters believe?

Similar to Fifth Monarchists but also believed they were predestined to be saved and so could commit no sins

What is the background to Arminianism?

• Broadly anti-Calvinists, thought Catholic church had been misguided

• Believed balance was needed between removing superstition of Catholicism but maintaining ceremony to impose respect/order

• Argued for ornate churches and robes for priests

Who didn’t like the Arminians particularly?

• Arminian beliefs in importance of the clergy and power of bishops was offensive to Puritans/ protestants, they associated it heavily with Catholicism

• Charles I issued a ban on discussing sensitive religious doctrine ie public preaching which was an attack on Calvinists/ other Protestants

Who was William Laud?

• Arminian leader

• 1628 appointed to privy council and became Bishop of London

• Became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633

Outline some of Laud’s reforms to the church

• From 1633 his changes began to take effect

• Installed organs (Puritans thought music distracted from prayer)

• Decorating fonts

• Returning statues and colour to churches

• Moved communion table to where it was in Roman Catholicism which symbolised gap between clergy and laity (non-clergy)

What was the effect of Laud’s changes?

• They were to be enforced by the local bishop in each diocese

• Focused on decoration of churches

• Dissenting ministers summoned before Church courts/ Star Chamber

• eg: John Bastwick was punished by Star Chamber for criticising Laud through a publication

What did Parliament think about the changes?

• Parl 1640 criticised changes but also the political implication of giving power to bishops

• Directed against men like Laud who had been advanced due to Charles I’s favour

• He reminded them of French cardinals building an absolute monarchy in France

What was Episcopacy?

The government of a church by bishops (they run it)

What was Parliament’s reaction to Laud’s reforms 1640-43

• By 1640 Charles’ opposition felt strong enough in the Commons to attack bishops/ wider Arminian influence, they wanted to abolish episcopacy

• Dec 1640 - Root and Branch petition = signed by 15,000 Londoners to remove the bishops

• Were also protests led by Edward Hyde saying honourable men were being punished for their beliefs

• These protests led to removal of bishops in Privy Council, Commons and Lords but DID NOT END EPISCOPACY so didn’t change much

• 1643 Covenant with Scotland signed to attempt establishing Presbyterian form of organisation

What key events happened 1645/46?

• 1645 - Government finally resolved that govt of Church should be Presbyterian in form

• 1646 - Passed resolutions confirming collapse of episcopacy and commitment to a form of Presbyterianism

Why was there divide in parliament?

• Had Presbyterians who formed majority of those with decision-making power. They wanted national Church used to promote their faith/ control people

• Also had Independents (including some from the NMA) who weren’t opposed to Presbyterianism but wanted some toleration so they could have their own churches

What was the Apologetical Narration?

• Released by the Independents Jan 1644

• Demanding right to est independent churches outside of Presbyterian church

Why was the army dangerous for religious conflict?

• Became breeding ground for radical ideas due to close proximity and collective experiences of danger due to influence of radical officers

• They moved around the country which radicalised some and emboldened others who were already radical

• Attempts to disband army 1647 led to further radicalisation

What was the significance of the end of the Civil War? What act was passed?

• End of a chance for a Presbyterian Church as it meant end of close link with Scotland

• Radical ideas about toleration = resurfaced conservative ideas

• Thus the Rump passed the Blasphemy Act 1650 where religious radicals could be punished

What other factors led to the demise of radical groups?

• Internal fighting

• Leaders were imprisoned

• End of fighting in Ireland and Scotland led to return home of many soldiers

• Radical officers asked to resign

• Shock of King’s execution = strong desire to restore order/religious discipline

What was the purpose of Cromwell’s protectorate?

• He attempted a “godly reformation” using the Triers and Ejectors to try reforming the Church by improving preaching

• It was their job to ensure ministers who served were competent and capable of preaching God’s word

What was toleration like under Cromwell’s protectorate?

• Some toleration allowed

• Presbyterian and moderate Anglicans could be employed in church, Cromwell against persecution

• Quakers were subject to persecution as they openly tried to spread their views (some even appeared naked). In remote areas they were left alone

What and when was the Nayler Case?

• 1656

• He was sent to the south by Fox (Quaker leader)

• He rode donkey into Bristol on Palm Sunday and was accused of blasphemy

• Cromwell intervened when MPs called for his execution but couldn’t prevent him being publically flogged and imprisoned

What happened following Cromwell’s death 1658?

• Republican regime collapsed 1660

• Charles II’s Convention Parliament re-established CoE and restored bishops

• Details of religious settlement worked out in 1661 Savoy House conference

How was Charles II cooperative initially?

• MPs hoped problems of last 10 years could be solved and a flexible church established

• This was supported by Charles II

• Eg: Richard Baxter (Presbyterian) made a bishop, as were many Latitudinarians

Why was the settlement restrictive?

• Seen by some historians as achieving retribution against Puritans

• This was due to Savoy House conference being held during wave of conservatism after Thomas Venner’s failed Fifth Monarchist rebellion

• The settlement from the conference led to excommunication of many radical Bishops (1,800 driven from Church) and return of Anglicanism

• Followed by 1662 Act of Uniformity, including Puritans/ Presbyterians as dissenters

What was included in the Clarendon Code?

• Corporation Act 1661 - Holy communion required for any in local government and universities

• Act of Uniformity 1662

• Conventicle Act 1664 - laity who attended banned meetings could be punished

• Five Mile Act 1665 - drove non-conformists min. 5 miles from their diocese

What was the Test Act?

• Followed a Second attempt by Charles II to issue a Declaration of Indulgence in 1672

• It required even more conformity, public office holders had to reject key Catholic doctrines

• Led to James’ resignation as Lord High Admiral

What was the impact of Danby being appointed as Lord Treasurer?

• 1673

• Allowed to renew persecutions of Protestant dissenters (those with radical beliefs)

• Could build pro-Anglican majorities in both Houses (Tories)

What was the impact of the Popish Plot?

• Exclusion Crisis 1678-82 = parliament’s attempts to remove James from succession and replaced him with illegitimate Duke of Monmouth

• Massive persecution of Protestant dissenters

• Remodelling of Borough Charters to ensure Anglican control

What and when was the trial of the Seven Bishops?

• 1688

• Found not guilty after refusing to read James II’s Dec of Indulg

• Allowed toleration of both non-conformists and Catholics

What had been imposed by Laud under Charles I?

• Laud placed restrictions on preaching

• Imposed use of Catechism = a book containing questions and answers to be read during the service

• Some believe it aroused resentment but others think ordinary members welcomed it

• This increased number of ministers ejected from the Church, as did number of dissenters

How did Charles I and Laud punish dissent?

• Used Prerogative courts

• Especially for those who dismissed Arminian ways and attacked Bishops

• All of these were released by Long Parliament declaring their sentences illegal

Who led the opposition against Charles I in the Long Parliament?

• Puritans like John Pym who kept report of mismanagement in govt

• John Hampden who refused to pay ship money

• Puritans in parliament would have despised Charles even before financial crises due to distinctly differing beliefs

How did Presbyterianism grow initally?

• By 1616 Henry Jacob returned from North America and by 1640 had established 8 Congregational Churches in opposition to Laudian reforms

• Long Parliament encouraged further developments buy on eve of Civil War 1642 there were only 1000 active separatists

What happened during the Civil War to allow further growth?

• Breakdowns of normal restraints against radicals allowed existing separatists to be more active

• Many more radical ministers able to take on parish responsibilities or preach in towns sympathetic to parliament

• Press had relative freedom = radical ideas could be spread

Why was 1647 key?

• Quarrel between NMA and parliament intensified religious views in the press

• Allowed public to access and create own views

• 1658 Cromwell’s death - efforts to achieve some toleration/ religious freedom had mixed results

• Quaker’s, Levellers and Diggers still remained

What was the impact of Presbyterians working in the church?

• Fear and suspicions of religious radicalism and the link to army intensified unpopularity

• Due to fear and suspicion, reaction blown out of proportion

What were the aims of the Presbyterian worshippers

• Aimed to create a reformed national church

• They were afraid about numbers and beliefs of radical sects, desired return of authority in both Church and state

• They supported Fairfax in taking over York to allow Monck to march to London and restore monarchy

What was the purpose of the Clarendon Code?

• Sought to establish supremacy of Anglican Church

• Meant increased scale of persecution and revealed bitterness and desire for revenge in the way it was rigorously enforced in many places

• They wanted to silence dissent however this failed as it was not always followed

Which radical sect received the worst persecution?

• Quakers

• Were also executed

• They still performed their beliefs in public, refused to meet in secret

• 1662 Quaker Act allowed for their arrest/ imprisonment without charge if they didn’t give Oath of Allegiance

Why was the Act of Uniformity 1662 so important?

• Had big impact on Presbyterians serving in the Church

• Of the 1800 ministers who left the church, 1000 were ejected in summer 1662

• Many refused to give up ministry as long as they had followers who sought their support

• Would meet in private houses despite dangers of arrest

• Other ministers benefited from wealthy connections, offered chaplaincies for preaching

What was the first reason dissenters survived the persecution 1660-88?

• Commitment and dedication of those who left (or were forced out of) the Church

• It was not entirely new for English puritans as under Laud they’d faced similar repression

• George Fox (leader of Quakers) imprisoned for 2 years yet re-established order once released 1669

• Ministers refused to give up ministry

• Dissenters re-emerged from harshest years of persecution (1683-6) very quickly

• Dissenting chapels stronger/ better organised

What was the second reason dissenters survived the persecution 1660-88?

• Level of support given by sympathisers, individually or through organisations

• 1666 onwards mood of revenge softened

• 2nd Conventicle Act less effective, suggested people began to respect dissenters

• Many sympathised even if not agreeing

• Charles II’s dec of indul 1672 allowed Presbyterians to preach

• Application of laws persecuting dissenters patchy after 1673, largely left undisturbed

• By 1886-7 public opinion challenged desire for uniformity

What was the third reason dissenters survived the persecution 1660-88?

• Mistakes by their enemies, mainly the decision to define uniformity on such a narrow basis and counting Presbyterians as dissenters

• Clarendon Code incl Act of Uniformity 1662 was harsh on all dissenters incl Presbyterians = forced to join with other groups eg: Congregationalists

• Once 1st Conventicle Act expired 1667 Presbyterians began developing new networks

• Presbyterians came to terms with being outside the National Church, organised academies to educate new clergy

What had happened causing fear of Catholicism before Charles I?

• In other European countries many examples of Catholics intending destruction of other religions to establish absolute control over religious life wherever it gained influence

• Eg: massacres of Protestants in France/ Low Countries

• Was for this reason Luther and Calvin saw it as evil and pope as antichrist

Which other events supported Catholic fears?

• Bloody Mary’s burning of 284 Protestants at the stake 1553-8

• Catholic plots against Elizabeth I, Catholic rebellions during her reign

• Spanish attempted invasion to restore Catholicism to England with their Armada 1588

• Gunpowder plot 1605 = group of Catholics narrowly failed to assassinate James I

How did Charles’ promotion of Arminians cause fear of Catholics?

• Charles promoted Arminians in the Church incl men like Laud who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633.

• They also began to have a large influence on secular affairs, enjoyed a good position in the Court or Privy Council

• 1624-5 there were complaints in London about the boldness of Catholics in the court

• also clear that high-profile Catholic gentry were residing in the city

• As part of Laud’s persecutions of radicals, Puritan nobility were excluded from office

How did Charles’ relationships with Catholics cause fear of Catholics?

• Charles married catholic Henrietta Maria of France

• She could have Catholic clergy to serve her, encouraged others to be Catholic including their two sons

Why did Charles’ actions during the Civil War cause people to fear Catholicism?

• Catholics formed a significant minority in Charles’ armies

• Sizable Catholic armies in Ireland/ Scotland

• Irish rebellion 1641 = fear of Catholic takeover

• 1645 after Battle of Naseby Charles’ baggage captured and correspondence with the irish was found, along with offer of help from Pope

Why did Charles’ authoritarian actions cause people to fear Catholicism?

• He behaved in authoritarian way towards parliament

• Dissolved them 1625, 1626, 1629 and then had Personal Rule for 11 years 1629-40

• Prerogative courts of Star Chamber were used against Puritan writers 1637, ears cut off

What was religious toleration like 1640-60?

• was offered for some sects but excluded Catholics

• 1650 Toleration Act removed requirement to go to church, catholics not given freedom

• Catholics had to pay assessment tax at 2x normal rate

• 1656 Act of Parliament called to close Catholic chapels in foreign embassies, £100 for anyone caught worshipping at them

• Many Catholics had estates confiscated after civil war

How did Cromwell treat Catholics?

• Didn’t offer them toleration

• Jan 1654 issued an order stating laws against Catholics enacted under Elizabeth/ James would continue, 1655 demanded these would be adhered to

• Reports suggested almost 1000 people refused to deny Catholic beliefs in Lancashire and Cromwell ignored this

• Catholic influence was not the major problem facing the country during Cromwell’s reign

List the events leading to anti-catholic sentiment under Charles II

• Great Fire of London

• Conversion of James to Catholicism 1669

• Declaration of Indulgence 1672 which would have explicitly permitted Catholic worship

• James marrying Catholic Mary of Modena 1673 = fears of Catholic son

• Popish Plot and Rye House plot

List the events leading to anti-catholic sentiment under Charles II

• Seen as similar to Catholic absolutist Louis XIV

• Used Prerogative Courts and powers

• Court of Ecclesiastical Commissions set up reminiscent of Court of High Commission which was abolished 1642

• James used Godden V Hales to claim he had right to exempt individuals from Test Act

• 1687 issued dec of ondul allowing Catholics to worship freely

• Birth of his son leading to 7 political figures begging William of Orange to invade England