Elizabeth I & Religion (AQA GCSE History)
Revision Note
What was the English Reformation? - Summary
The English Reformation began in the early 16th century. This was a significant turning point in England's religious and political history. It started when King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. The pope refused to grant the divorce. Therefore, Henry broke away from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England.
Henry VIII became the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This meant he could grant himself a divorce. The Reformation also resolved the problems of the Catholic Church, like corruption and power struggles. Henry was given more power and money from the dissolution of the monasteries, which helped to fund his wealth and wars with France. The English Reformation resulted in huge changes for the Church. Bibles and services were in English and Henry introduced Protestant ideas.
Although Henry VIII introduced the English Reformation, the country remained largely Catholic. It was not until Edward VI’s reign that the Catholic elements of Henry’s reign were removed. Edward’s policies strengthened Protestantism in England. However, Elizabeth’s half-sister Mary I changed England to a Catholic country in 1553. She gained the nickname ‘Bloody Mary’ from when she burnt Protestants. Mary placed Elizabeth under house arrest for her Protestant beliefs.
The English Reformation created opportunities and issues for Elizabeth in 1558. People were tired of the ‘religious rollercoaster’ - the official religion of England flitting between Protestantism and Catholicism. Elizabeth had to resolve this.
Catholics & Protestants
Catholicism
Catholicism is a version of Christianity
Catholic Beliefs in Elizabethan Times
Religious issues | Catholic beliefs |
|---|---|
What should the hierarchy of the Church look like? | The Pope in Rome is the Head of the Church. There is a structure underneath of cardinals, archbishops and bishops to manage the Church |
What should the inside of churches look like? | Churches represent the glory of God. Churches should have stained-glass windows and expensive icons such as statues and pictures |
What are the roles and restrictions of the clergy? | Priests are not allowed to marry. They should wear special robes called vestments. Their vestments should be beautifully decorated with colour. During Confession, a priest can forgive a person’s sins |
What should the Bible and church services look like? | The Bible and church services should be in Latin. The service of Mass creates a miracle. The priest makes the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus |
Protestantism
Protestantism began in Germany in 1517
Martin Luther, a monk, nailed The Ninety-Five Theses on the door of his local church in Wittenberg
The Ninety-Five Theses contained his complaints about the Church’s practices, such as indulgences
Luther set up his own church
The Catholic Church called any Christians who joined Luther’s church a Protestant
Protestant Beliefs in Elizabethan Times
Religious issues | Protestant beliefs |
|---|---|
What should the hierarchy of the Church look like? | The king or queen should be the Head of the Church. Archbishops and bishops help the monarch run the Church |
What should the inside of churches look like? | Spending lots of money on churches goes against the teachings of Christianity. Churches should have an altar and stained-glass windows but no icons |
What are the roles and restrictions of the clergy? | Priests have the choice to marry. They should wear special vestments but they should have limited decoration. Priests cannot forgive sins; this power belongs to God alone |
What should the Bible and church services look like? | The Bible and church services in England should be in English so everyone can access the word of God. The bread and wine in Communion represents the Last Supper. It does not become the body and blood of Jesus |
Exam Tip
A great way to remember the connection between Protestants and Catholics is to break down the word ‘Protestant’. The root of the word is ‘protest’. The Protestants ‘protested’ against the Catholic Church. This should also help you spell ‘Protestant’, as many students struggle with this spelling.
Why was religion an issue for Elizabeth?
Religion was an issue due to the previous Tudor monarch's religious beliefs
Although Henry VIII introduced the English Reformation, his church was still largely Catholic
Churches were still decorated
Edward VI’s England became a much more Protestant country
He introduced the Book of Common Prayer
Churches were whitewashed
Mary I was a Catholic and England returned to Catholicism
The pope became the head of the church
Approximately 300 Protestants were burnt for being heretics
These changes between 1532 and 1558 caused frustration and problems for Elizabeth
Protestants and Catholics lived in communities together and argued about their religious beliefs
Elizabeth’s government was witness to religious division
Many of the Catholic clergy sat in the House of Lords and some would not convert to Protestantism
Elizabeth avoided conflict by choosing not to side with either branch of Christianity
In 1559, Elizabeth created the Religious Settlement
It aimed to find a ‘middle way’ between Catholicism and Protestantism
Elizabeth wanted a Protestant Church that the majority of Catholics would accept
She established a Church that looked Catholic but performed Protestant services
She hoped this would avoid any Catholic uprisings against her.
Elizabeth created the best compromise possible given the challenging religious environment she had inherited
The Act of Supremacy, 1559
The first part of Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement was The Act of Supremacy
The Act of Supremacy reiterated the monarch’s authority over the Church of England
The Impacts of the Act of Supremacy on Elizabethan England
Key aspects of the Act of Supremacy | Impact on the Church and people |
|---|---|
Elizabeth named herself Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This was different to her father, Henry VIII, who gave himself the title Head of the Church | Many people did not believe a woman could be Head of the Church. Some Catholics accepted this phrasing as they could still believe the pope was the Head of the Church |
All government officials and clergy had to take an oath accepting Elizabeth’s authority as Supreme Governor | Only one of Mary’s Catholic bishops agreed to take the oath |
The Act created an Ecclesiastical High Commission. They ensured that churches were following Elizabeth's Religious Settlement | The Catholic clergy could lose their jobs or be imprisoned for breaking the terms of the settlement |
The Act of Uniformity, 1559
The second part of Elizabeth’s Settlement was The Act of Uniformity
The Act of Uniformity ensured that all churches looked the same and delivered equivalent church services
The Impacts of the Act of Uniformity on Elizabethan England
Key aspects of the Act of Uniformity | Impact on the Church and people |
|---|---|
Churches were allowed to have decorations and the congregation could sing hymns | This was well-received by many of Elizabeth’s Catholic opponents. Puritan bishops complained that churches looked too Catholic |
The Bible and church services were conducted in English. Churches had to use the new Protestant prayer book | The wording of the prayer book was deliberately unclear, especially for Mass. This meant that Catholics and Protestants could interpret it in their own way. Refusing to use the new prayer book resulted in punishment |
Priests had to wear special vestments and could marry if they chose to | Many priests accepted these changes. The Puritan clergy did not believe in wearing special vestments |
Everyone had to attend church on Sundays and holy days. Recusants received a one-shilling fine for every absence | Many higher-class Catholics chose to pay the one-shilling fine rather than attend a Church of England service. Many lower-class Catholics could not afford to miss church services |
Exam Tip
Some students get confused about which policies come under which Act in the Religious Settlement. A way to remember is to think that ‘uniformity’ has the word ‘uniform’ within it. A uniform makes everyone look the same, just as the Act of Uniformity made all churches look and feel identical. Any action that is not related to making the church experience the same across England will come under the Act of Supremacy.
Did England support Elizabeth’s religious settlement?
Many people in England supported Elizabeth’s religious settlement as it was:
Inclusive
Services were written to prevent conflict
The wording of services was open for interpretation
Tolerant of Catholics
Initially, recusancy fines were not enforced
Furthermore, most clergymen in England supported the Religious Settlement and took the Oath of Supremacy
Approximately 250 out of 9,000 priests refused to take the oath
Those who initially opposed the Religious Settlement were mainly those who were extremists
Jesuits believed it was not Catholic enough
Puritans believed it was not Protestant enough
Worked Example
Explain what was important about Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement.
[8 Marks]
Partial answer:
Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement was important as it provided a compromise. Before Elizabeth’s reign, there was religious turmoil in England. The country's religion changed several times between Catholicism and Protestantism from 1534 to 1559. Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement aimed to provide a ‘middle way’ by offering compromises such as calling herself ‘Supreme Governor’ instead of Supreme Head of the Church. This allowed Catholics to believe that the pope was the head of the Church. This was important because it allowed most Catholics to accept Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement. It also reduced the number of potential threats against Elizabeth, which became dangerous later in Elizabeth’s reign.
Exam Tip
Above is a partial answer to an 8-mark “Explain the importance” question. To achieve full marks, you will need to explain two reasons why Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement was important. In the other paragraph, you could explain how the Religious Settlement created loyalty to Elizabeth.
For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 8-mark “Explain the importance” question.
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