What was the Elizabethan Settlement and why was it important?
Legislation that is collectively known as the Elizabethan Settlement was passed just months into her reign. There was a majority of staunch Roman Catholics among the bishops and lords There was a large number of influential Protestants within England, herself included! There was more than one view on how the church ought to be reformed, if at all
How did Queen Elizabeth I get her crown?
Elizabeth in inherited her crown from her sister, Mary I. Mary was Roman Catholic and married to the King of Spain, who had a claim to the English throne. A Settlement would need to take Anglo-Spanish relations into consideration.
Why was there a need for a settlement of religious divides?
As Elizabeth acceded to the throne of England there was a great religious divide within the country. The need for a Settlement of these divides was great. Elizabeth, a Protestant, inherited a nation with a large number of senior clergy who were loyal to Roman Catholicism; others were were Puritan and others for whom some reforms were wanted.
Why was worship important in the Elizabethan era?
In the Elizabethan world worshipping was a matter of life, death and the afterlife, it was a matter of great urgency that a solution or compromise could be agreed. The issue was one of the first matters dealt with by Elizabeth and her Privy Council.
What is the Elizabethan settlement?
The Elizabethan Religious Settlement was a collection of laws and decisions concerning religious practices introduced between 1558-63 CE by Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE). The settlement continued the English Reformation which had begun during the reign of her father, Henry VIII of England (r.
What were the main features of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement?
It tried to take elements from both Protestantism and Catholicism, but since many Protestants had become MPs, the Settlement was perhaps more Protestant than Elizabeth would have liked. The Elizabethan Religious Settlement was contained in two acts – the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity.
What was the impact of Elizabeth's Religious Settlement?
The Act of Uniformity This made Protestantism England's official faith and also set out rules of religious practice and worship in a revised prayer book. This retained some Catholic traditions which Elizabeth hoped would make a good compromise and keep her people happy.
Was the Elizabethan Religious Settlement successful?
All members of the Church had to take the oath of supremacy under the Act of Supremacy if they were to keep their posts. 8,000 priests and less important clergy did so. There were 10,000 parishes in England at this time so this shows that the religious settlement was largely successful.
What are 2 features of Elizabethan society?
7 Feature 1: One key feature of Elizabethan society was the divisions in power and wealth between social classes in the countryside. For example, the landowning nobility were the most wealthy and powerful, followed by the gentry, the yeoman and the tenant farmers, and then the landless labourers.
How did the Elizabethan settlement from the English church?
The Act of Uniformity of 1559 set out the groundwork for the Elizabethan church. It restored the 1552 version of the English Prayer Book but kept many of the familiar old practices and allowed for two interpretations of communion, one Catholic and one Protestant.
How did the Elizabethan settlement affect the Reformation in England?
How did the Elizabethan Settlement affect the Reformation in England? Even though Elizabeth preserved many traditional Catholic ideas, she firmly established England as a Protestant nation.
How was religion divided in the Elizabethan era?
Some Elizabethans were strong supporters of the Protestant reformation, some were staunchly Catholic, some were ambivalent, and some still practiced a stricter form of Christianity, Puritanism.
What were the challenges to the Religious Settlement?
Many Catholics in England were not happy with Elizabeth's Settlement. They had enjoyed religious freedom under Queen Mary, Elizabeth's sister, and they were now being asked to change or deny their beliefs. Many couldn't make this compromise and left to live in exile abroad.
Why was the Religious Settlement unsuccessful?
The Religious Settlement did not enforce the Puritan view of church layout, decorations or the dress of preachers. The main areas that puritans disagreed with were the allowance of crucifixes and vestments. The crucifix shows Jesus dying on the cross. For many it is an important religious symbol.
What was the main religion in Elizabethan England?
The main two religions in the Elizabethan Era is Catholic and Protestants. Catholics were more favored because it's the main religion in England at the time.
How was the Religious Settlement enforced?
The Church was responsible for helping to enforce the religious settlement. Visitations were inspections of churches and clergy by bishops to ensure that everyone took the oath of supremacy and were following the terms of the religious settlement.
What was the main religion during the Elizabethan era?
The main two religions in the Elizabethan Era is Catholic and Protestants. Catholics were more favored because it's the main religion in England at the time.
What were the two major religions in Elizabethan England?
The major two religions in Elizabethan England were Catholic and Protestant religions, Choosing the “wrong” religion brought risks to personal wealth, freedom, and life.
Was the Elizabethan era religious?
Some Elizabethans were strong supporters of the Protestant reformation, some were staunchly Catholic, some were ambivalent, and some still practiced a stricter form of Christianity, Puritanism.
What was the solution to the Elizabethan Settlement?
The Elizabethan Settlement would need to tackle this issue. The solution was to use elements of both the protestant version and catholic version of the prayer books. This allowed an element of interpretation by the clergy.
What was the importance of worshipping in the Elizabethan world?
In the Elizabethan world worshipping was a matter of life, death and the afterlife, it was a matter of great urgency that a solution or compromise could be agreed. The issue was one of the first matters dealt with by Elizabeth and her Privy Council.
What was the Act of Uniformity?
The Act of Uniformity stated the way in which churches should be set out and the way in which services should be conducted. Royal Injunctions were given that explained how the Elizabethan Settlement ought to work on a day to day basis.
Why did Protestants return to England after Mary's death?
Following the death of Mary, many Protestants returned to England in the belief that the country would be Protestant
What was the Church in England's split from Rome?
The Church in England had only broken from Rome a generation earlier. Even then, the split was not a change of theological approach, more a political tool for Henry VIII’s gain. It had allowed reformers, the protestants, to implement some changes though.
Who wrote the monarchy into law?
This prompted debate over the issue. The role of the monarch in this area needed to be addressed. It had been written into law by Henry VIII and used by the administration of Edward VI and again by Mary I to change religious practise. If the monarch were the head of the church, this would place them above all others.
Did England have allies in Europe?
England had significant allies in Europe who were staunchly Roman Catholic. Elizabeth in inherited her crown from her sister, Mary I. Mary was Roman Catholic and married to the King of Spain, who had a claim to the English throne. A Settlement would need to take Anglo-Spanish relations into consideration.