But that does not mean that it was never again contested. The Elizabethan Settlement was religious legislation passed from 1559 to 1571 that intended to provide a compromise between English Catholics and Protestants. The bishops were placed in the difficult position of enforcing conformity while supporting reform. There were obstacles, notably the presence of many Catholic bishops who had been appointed by Mary and many catholic-minded nobles in the government. Elizabethan Religious Settlement - AQA - BBC Bitesize All clergy and royal office-holders would be required to swear an Oath of Supremacy. Unlike the majority of her subjects Elizabeth had no appetite for further reformation . Instead, she approached religion with a more pragmatic air. There was much debate among traditionalists and zealous reformers about how this new church should look. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. The Elizabethan Religious Settlement proved to be far more successful than the reforms imposed by Mary . One of the most visible differences from traditional Catholic churches was the replacement of the altar with a communion table. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. [5][6] The Mass, the central act of Catholic worship, was condemned as idolatry and replaced with a Protestant communion service, a reminder of Christ's crucifixion. It was given statutory force by the Subscription Act, which required all new ministers to affirm their agreement with this confessional statement. Implemented between 1559 and 1563, the settlement is considered the end of the English Reformation, permanently shaping the theology and liturgy of the Church of England and laying the foundations of Anglicanism's unique identity. The Elizabethan Religious Settlement. Bibliography In effect, Elizabeth was declaring that she did not believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation. DOCX WordPress.com [103][104] James, however, did the opposite, forcing the Scottish Church to accept bishops and the Five Articles of Perth, all attempts to make it as similar as possible to the English Church. Create beautiful notes faster than ever before. Elizabeth and her pro-reform ministers had to regroup and plan another strategy. "The Elizabethan Religious Settlement." While most people conformed, a minority of recusants remained loyal Roman Catholics. Elizabethan Settlement: Definition & Summary | StudySmarter P-The Religious settlement was successful because there was much about it that was acceptable to most Catholics. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1565/the-elizabethan-religious-settlement/. A debate was scheduled during the Easter recess between a team of Catholics and a team of Protestants, with the Privy Council as judge and Bacon as Chairman. It included the Act of Supremacy, Act of Uniformity, a new Book of Common Prayer, and the Thirty-Nine Articles. Search here. [113] The suppression and marginalisation of Prayer Book Protestants during the 1640s and 1650s had made the prayer book "an undisputed identifier of an emerging Anglican self-consciousness. What did the Elizabethan Religious Settlement do? The Elizabethan religious settlement survived with the attrition of other religious beliefs and practices. Protestantism would also create a fear of persecution among Englands Catholics. Anne gave birth to Henry's daughter; Elizabeth I and Henry was undoubtedly disappointed again. The remaining bishops were all Catholics appointed during Mary's reign, and Elizabeth's advisers hoped they could be persuaded to continue serving. Like the Puritans, Andrewes engaged in his own brand of nonconformity. Elizabethan Religious Settlement Religion became a very divisive factor in people's lives in England when Protestant ideas challenged the dominance of the Catholic Church of Rome. Instead of treating these objects as being transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ when blessed by a Catholic priest, the Protestant preacher merely encouraged the believer to take them as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Clergy were to wear the surplice (rather than cope or chasuble) for services. it seems, apart from the absence of images, that there is little difference between their ceremonies and those of the Church of Rome. World History Encyclopedia. [41] During this time, Calvinist clergy held the best bishoprics and deaneries. The Thirty-nine Articles of 1563 CE (made law in 1571 CE) were the final part of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. The Elizabethan Settlement did not heal the divide between Protestants and Catholics. [40] These new royal injunctions were meant to fill in the details of the settlement and were to be enforced nationwide by six groups of clerical and lay commissioners. The debate quickly descended into name-calling and two of the Catholics were sent to the Tower for contempt. For many Protestants, clerical vestments symbolised a continued belief in a priestly order separate from the congregation,[71] and could be interpreted by Catholics as affirmation of traditional doctrines. Although it did not heal the divide brought on by the Reformation, it did stabilize the Church of England, and many of the religious decisions made during the Elizabethan Settlement period remain part of the Anglican church today. Others refused to conform. The outbreak of Protestant radicalism during the English Civil War challenged ideas of inclusion and tolerance within the church. [100], In the Parliaments of 1584 and 1586, the Puritans attempted to push through legislation that would institute a presbyterian form of government for the Church of England and replace the prayer book with the service book used in Geneva. Most of their replacements were not consecrated until December 1559 or early 1560. We care about our planet! The Elizabethan Settlement established a unified Church of England that included Protestant beliefs and the Catholic hierarchical structure. The reforms may have been mild but they were enough for the Pope to eventually excommunicate the queen for heresy in February 1570 CE. The Church that Elizabeth created is unique. Cartwright, Mark. [85], There were objections over the prayer book, including certain formulas and responses, the sign of the cross in baptism, the surplice and use of a wedding ring in marriage. [61] By far the most popular and reprinted metrical Psalter was Thomas Sternhold's Whole book of Psalms. The reforms included allowing clerics to marry and denying transubstantiation. This bill would have returned the Church to its position at the death of Henry VIII rather than to that when Edward VI died. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. 8,000 priests and less important clergy did so. Under Mary's rule, England returned to the Catholic Church and recognised the pope's authority. It restored the 1552 prayer book with some modifications. The religious settlement began to be implemented in the summer of 1559. Discover the art of the Van de Veldes at the Queen's House, See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum, Picnics and treats, free workshops and tours, plus a very special World Record attempt! In 1560, Bishop Grindal was allowed to enforce the demolition of rood lofts in London. Catholics gained an important concession. [101], In response to Bridges' A Defence of the Government Established in the Church of England for Ecclesiastical Matters, an anonymous Puritan under the pseudonym Martin Marprelate published a series of tracts attacking leading conformist clergy. These articles served as the foundation for the Church of England's doctrine. James was himself a moderate Calvinist, and the Puritans hoped the King would move the English Church in the Scottish direction. This change of title placated those who did not feel that a woman could be the head of the church, and the act passed fairly easily. [30] The revised Book of Common Prayer removed this denunciation of the Pope. [7] Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist was no longer explained by the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation; instead, the 1552 Book of Common Prayer promoted the Reformed teaching of Christ's spiritual presence. Which of the two mentioned historians do you agree with? Since the Act of Uniformity 1549 which approved the first prayer book was passed in January, it is likely that the provisions of the 1549 prayer book were intended, even though Edward's second year ended several months before the book was published. Will you pass the quiz? The rebellion was defeated, but it contributed to a perception that Catholicism was treason. In the end, Archbishop Parker issued a code of discipline for the clergy called the Advertisements, and the most popular and effective Protestant preachers were suspended for non-compliance. Henry was later excommunicated from the Catholic Church after his secret marriage to Anne. Queen, Government and Religion, 1558-69 | GCSE History Notes However, as a result of the Northern Rebellion, excommunication by the Pope and challenge of MQS, E was forced to impose strict penalties against Catholics. Essentially, the act returned churches to their appearance in 1549 CE. [115] It was in the period after 1660 that Richard Hooker's thought became influential within the Church of England, as Anglicans tried to define themselves in ways distinct from Protestant dissenters. [86] Throughout her reign, the Queen successfully blocked attempts by Parliament and the bishops to introduce further change. Laud and his followers believed the Reformation had gone too far and launched a "'Beauty of Holiness' counter-revolution, wishing to restore what they saw as lost majesty in worship and lost dignity for the sacerdotal priesthood. The Elizabethan Religious Settlement was composed of the following principal elements: Henry VIII had started the English Reformation which split the Church in England from Catholic Rome. The first act passed by the House of Commons in February 1559 joined together a bill of supremacy, establishing Queen Elizabeth I as head of the church, with one of uniformity, dealing with the type of faith and service. The Act of Supremacy of 1558 re-established the Church of . In October 1559, she ordered that a crucifix and candlesticks be placed on the communion table in the Chapel Royal. [38] In 1559, Elizabeth was still unsure of the theological orientation of her Protestant subjects, and she did not want to offend the Lutheran rulers of northern Europe by veering too far into the Reformed camp. [15] It was obvious to most that these were temporary measures. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. A priest found guilty of performing a mass could face the death penalty. During this time, motets were replaced by anthems,[55] and William Byrd's Great Service was composed for the royal chapel and cathedrals. [99] Whitgift's demands produced widespread turmoil, and around 400 ministers were suspended for refusal to subscribe. They reduced the number to thirty-nine, leaving out a few that they thought would most offend the Catholics. While a disappointment for Puritans, the provisions were aimed at satisfying moderate Puritans and isolating them from their more radical counterparts. Anyone suspected of not recognising Elizabeth as head of the Church would now find themselves before a new court, the Court of High Commission. [112], The Church of England was fundamentally changed. Protestants thought the settlement did not provide enough reform. What was the Elizabethan Religious Settlement? The Elizabethan . [102], In 1603, the King of Scotland inherited the English crown as James I. [107], The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 allowed for the restoration of the Elizabethan Settlement as well. Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them. Meaning he could finally divorce Catherine! The next sovereign was Catholic Mary I of England (r. 1553-1558 CE), and she reversed the Reformation. [91], By 1572, the debate between Puritans and conformists had entered a new phasechurch government had replaced vestments as the major issue. In addition, the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth for heresy in 1570 CE. [Show more] [63], The Elizabethan settlement was further consolidated by the adoption of a moderately Protestant doctrinal statement called the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion. Elizabeth . The Queen never forgave John Knox for writing The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women, which denounced female monarchs, and the Reformation in Geneva was tainted by association. Again, the question remained a moving target, and many-faced persecution as the definition of acceptable religion continued to shift. They established the practice of faith and religious procedures in England. [10], Mary I, Elizabeth's half-sister, became queen in 1553. Those who refused to conform to the new Church of England were persecuted. Unlike in other Protestant states, the old Catholic structure of the Church below the sovereign was maintained with the bishops organised in a hierarchy. [93] It called for the church to be organised according to presbyterian polity. [115], Diarmaid MacCulloch states that Hooker's writings helped to create an "Anglican synthesis". [62] Although it was not legally required, it was traditional for virtually all Protestant churches and was also used at home. [45], According to the injunctions, church images that were superstitiously abused were condemned as idolatry, but the commissioners mandated the destruction of all pictures and images. The traditionalist argument was very pro-Protestant. Many of these instructions concerned preachers who now had to have a license issued by a bishop and who were obliged to hold at least one service each month or lose that license. of the users don't pass the Elizabethan Settlement quiz! Once Whitgift had destroyed presbyterian activism, he was content to leave the Puritans alone. [38], In his "Puritan Choir" thesis, historian J. E. Neale argues that Elizabeth wanted to pursue a conservative policy but was pushed in a radical direction by a Protestant faction in the House of Commons. [75], Catholics were forced to choose between attending Protestant services to comply with the law or refusing to attend. "[14], Historians Patrick Collinson and Peter Lake argue that until 1630 the Church of England was shaped by a "Calvinist consensus". What was a Catholic element of the new Church of England? This was particularly evident between 1565 and 1567 during the Vestments controversy over the refusal of some clergy to wear the clerical dress required by the Royal Injunctions. Elizabeth had taken the decision to arrest any Catholic bishops that did not accept her authority as sovereign over them. Essentially, they covered all the matters not yet set out in previous legislation and aimed to definitively establish what was meant by the English version of Protestantism, otherwise known as Anglicism. The queen was determined to see the act enforced and sent inspectors around the parishes for that purpose. Its 100% free. As a Protestant, Elizabeth had to tread carefully between both faiths to maintain unity. Choosing to remain Catholic would surrender power to Rome and ally England with other Catholic states, such as France and Spain. [29], The bill easily passed the House of Commons. Under pressure from the Privy Council, Whitgift was forced to accept conditional subscriptions from defiant ministers. Keeping the hierarchy of archbishops and bishops. It was designed to settle the divide between Catholics and Protestants and address the differences in services and beliefs. The priests wear the hood and surplice. The papal bull Regnans in Excelsis released Elizabeth's Catholic subjects from any obligation to obey her. Indulge in gifts inspired by its Elizabethan symbolism. He refused, so the Queen left the chapel before the consecration. Elizabeth was a Protestant, but not a zealous one as her brother Edward VI had been. The latter problem was addressed by establishing seminaries to train and ordain English priests. Here is an example answer to the following 16-mark question on whether geographical divisions were the biggest problem for Elizabeth I in establishing the religious settlement in England. [105], At the start of his reign, Puritans presented the Millenary Petition to the King. The Archbishop of Canterbury remained at the top, the Archbishop of York was number two, and the monarch appointed the bishops and archbishops. The articles are based on the Forty-Two articles written by Thomas Cranmer in 1553 but could not be implemented because of Edward VI's death during the same year. [65], With the Queen's approval, Convocation also issued a second Book of Homilies with sermons on 20 topics. Only one Catholic bishop took the oath to Elizabeth - all the rest refused and lost their office. [34] Edward's second regnal year ran from 28 January 1548 to 27 January 1549. [119], Supreme Governor of the Church of England, The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstruous Regiment of Women, History of the Puritans under Queen Elizabeth I, A View of Popish Abuses yet remaining in the English Church, "Music and Reform in France, England, and Scotland", Elizabethan Religious Settlement - World History Encyclopedia, Documents Illustrative of English Church History, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elizabethan_Religious_Settlement&oldid=1137970785, This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 09:43. What were the beliefs in the Elizabethan era? - KnowledgeBurrow The Elizabethan settlement did not settle the religious debates brought by the Reformation. There were priests who conformed to the prayer book while also providing the Mass to their parishioners. Irregular Unions: Clandestine Marriage in Early Modern English Literature Elizabeth I: A Captivating Guide to the Queen of England Who Was the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. A large number of the Parliament, who were still Catholic, opposed the bill, and it was eventually only passed by three votes: 21 to 18. Through the 1580s, Puritans were organised enough to conduct what were essentially covert national synods. Secondly, attendance of a Catholic mass was forbidden, those found guilty of this offence received a large fine. William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1520-1598 CE) was Elizabeth Thomas Cranmer served as the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury Elizabeth I reigned as queen of England from 1558 to 1603 CE. The symbol of Britannia was first used in 1572, and often thereafter, to mark the Elizabethan age as a renaissance that inspired national . When Elizabeth I became queen in 1558, England's religious situation was dire. The Elizabethan Settlement | History of Parliament Online Geographical divisions were the biggest problem in establishing the religious settlement in England'. Elizabeth I's religious settlement | Royal Museums Greenwich - Cutty Sark Most Puritans, however, remained in the Church of England. All members of the Church had to take the oath of supremacy under the Act of Supremacy if they were to keep their posts. This illustrated guide gives an overview of the context, creation and significance of the Portrait, alongside evaluation of Elizabeths legacy A wondrous decorative ornament inspired by the armillary sphere astronomical instrument. [48] These provisions offended many Protestants, and in practice, the Injunctions were often ignored by church leaders.