Elizabethan Religious Issues and Conflict

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the religious conflicts, key figures, and political plots during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Henry VIII

The King who changed England’s religion from Catholic to Protestant to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.

Mary I

Elizabeth’s sister who returned England to Catholicism during her 5-year reign, during which many Protestants were killed.

1558 Religious Settlement

Elizabeth's attempt to compromise and bring both the Catholic and Protestant faiths together.

Act of Supremacy

The legislation under which Elizabeth was declared ‘Governor’ rather than ‘Head’ of the Church.

Book of Common Prayer

A religious text brought back by Elizabeth as part of her compromise to bring faiths together.

Matthew Parker

A moderate Protestant appointed by Elizabeth as the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Phillip II

A devout Catholic and King of Spain who had previously been married to Mary I and wanted to rule England under the Catholic religion.

Puritans

Devout Protestants who were angered by Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement because they wanted no compromise with Catholics.

Presbyterians

A group that produced pamphlets against Elizabeth and held meetings known as ‘prophesying’ where they criticised her.

Archbishop Whitgift

The successor to Matthew Parker who shut down the Puritan threat by destroying printing presses.

Mary, Queen of Scots

Seen by Catholics as the rightful heir to the throne, she was held prisoner for 19 years in England after arriving in 1567.

Northern Rebellion (1569)

The first major plot mentioned that aimed to replace Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots.

Ridolfi Plot (1571)

A conspiracy in 1571 involving Mary, Queen of Scots, intended to replace Elizabeth.

Throckmorton Plot (1583)

A plot in 1583 that sought to put Mary, Queen of Scots on the English throne.

Babington Plot (1586)

The 1586 plot involving coded letters that led to the death sentence of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Spanish Armada (1588)

A major naval conflict in 1588 partly caused by the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.

James I

The King of Scotland and son of Mary, Queen of Scots, whom Elizabeth named as her heir to the English throne.