Charles I's Personal Rule (1629-1640) - Religion

Who did Charles make Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633?

William Laud - an anti-Calvinist Arminian.

Why was Laud’s appointment viewed as problematic?

The English population was moderately Calvinist, and Charles’ decision to side with Laudianism and to try and impose a new, more restrictive religious uniformity broke down the ‘Jacobethan balance’.

In his reforms of the Church of England, what did Laud want to highlight?

“the beauty of holiness”.

What are some examples of how Laud reformed the Church of England?

• Communion table moved and railed off as an altar in the east end of the church.

• Increased emphasis on ceremony.

• Decoration such as stained glass windows.

• Increased use of music in services.

• Ministers wearing vestments instead of plain robes.

• Removal of the gentry’s ornamental pews.

What type of churches were most effected by the Laudian reforms?

Churches controlled by Puritans who favoured plainly decorated churches. For them, the physical changes were elements of idolatry derived from Catholicism.

What did some of the other changes include?

Laud limited preaching to Sunday mornings and evenings as a means of controlling Puritans. Puritan preaching was further limited by a direct legal attack on the Feoffees for Impropriations in 1633, seen as an attempt for Laud to restore the power and authority of the Church.

Laud also reissued the Book of Sports.

Bishops were also ordered to live in diocese and make regular visitations to report on whether everyone was conforming to the Laudian reforms.

What were the Feoffees for Impropriations?

An organisation, mainly of Puritans, which from 1626 raised money to control the appointment of clergy to parishes in order to establish Puritan preachers. These were taken over by Laudians.

What was the Book of Sports?

A book originally produced by James in 1618 to counter pressure that was put on the population in Puritan-dominated areas to not participate in fun activities on Sunday and to keep the day for God. This outlined a range of sports and activities that people could do after attending the compulsory Sunday morning service. This book was read from the pulpit so that it was known to all. Clergy who failed to read the reissue could be expelled from their parish or imprisoned.

What does the term ‘Puritan’ mean?

It covers a broad range of Protestants, including but not limited to Calvinists and Presbytarians. Puritans, most notably, place religion at the centre of their lives and focus on the importance of the Bible.

What is St Gregory’s case an example of?

Puritan opposition to Charles’ Personal Rule. It was one of the first open signs of opposition to the religious changes in 1633.

What did St Gregory’s case entail?

One of the parishoners of St Gregory’s Church in London challenging the moving of their communion table to the east end of the church as it meant that the family pews also had to be moved, causing offence. The parishoners were brought before the Privy Council by Charles I as a test case.

Which well-respected Puritans were brought before the Court of the Star Chamber for their criticisms of Church policy in 1637?

Burton, Batswick and Prynne. The three men were found guilty of criticising Laud’s measures through a phamflet named ‘histriomatrix’. They were each fined £5000 and imprisoned for life, but it was the public cropping of their ears that earned them sympathy.

Who else was persecuted for opposition to Laudianism?

John Lilburne who had helped distribute Batswick’s work. In February 1638, Lilburne was found guilty by the Star Chamber of printing unlicensed literature. For punishment, he was fined and then whipped and pilloried in public.

What was Charles’ aim during his Personal Rule?

Conformity across all of his kingdoms.

How did Charles rule Scotland?

He was an absentee king. He first visited Scotland to be crowned king of that country in 1633, 8 years following his crowning to become King of England in 1625.

How was Charles’ Scottish coronation ceremony offensive to the Scots?

The traditional coronation site was at Scone or Stirling, yet Charles chose Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace, and chose a form of ceremony the Scots saw as Catholic. He also introduced a bishop rank in Edinburgh and raised the church of St Giles in that city to the status of a cathedral; all actions regarded as Catholic by the Presbytarians.

What did Charles announce in 1633?

His intention to introduce a new prayer book.

What did Charles impose on Scotland in 1636?

New canons (church laws), the key articles being based on the Articles of Perth:

• The altar had to be placed against the east wall of the chancel.

• Ministers had to wear a surplice when they celebrated communion.

• Improvised prayer was banned; ministers had to read from the new prayer book.

These were viewed as an attempt to return to Catholicism, appearing worse to the Scots as they were imposed by royal prerogative. Charles made no attempt to allow the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland or the Scottish Parliament to have any say in the canons.

When was the Laudian prayer book introduced in Scotland?

1637, and this had been produced specifically for Scotland, leaning towards Catholicism and threatening their religious independence. This ultimately triggered a conflict in St Giles Cathedral which started the Scottish rebellion.