puritanism and its problems

• extreme Protestants

  • Wanted plain churches to not distract the mind from god

  • Strongly disliked Elizabeth’s preference for decorated churches

• Accepted roles as bishops to try persuade the queen to make changes or became influential in politics e.g. Walsingham

• Opposed Organ music, decorative gowns and holy days challenged but didn’t achieve a ‘more aggressive reform’

  • Elizabeth refused to change- protesters imprisoned

• Small group of challengers- agreed Elizabeth was better on throne than Mary

• Three groups

  • Moderates- mostly concerned with wanting the priests to wear plain black vestments

  • Presbyterians wanted to get rid of the bishops

  • Separatists wanted the church to operate on a smaller local level

• Unable to unite and pose successful challenge- many saw EB as best option

• Late 1560s most puritans fallen into line

• 1572 admonition to parliament- letter outlining puritan demands- ignored

Extreme Protestants sought plain churches to minimize distractions from God and disapproved of Elizabeth's decorated churches. They accepted bishop roles to influence her policies but opposed organ music, ornate clothing, and holy days, ultimately failing to achieve significant reforms. Despite some challenges to Elizabeth's rule, such as through a 1572 letter outlining puritan demands, the majority of puritans aligned with her by the late 1560s. There were three factions among the Protestants: Moderates focused on plain black vestments, Presbyterians wished to abolish bishops, and Separatists advocated for localized church governance.