Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
Elizabeth I's Solution: The Religious Settlement, 1559 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Importance of Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement - Summary
England’s official religion had changed so often from 1532 to 1558 that it caused frustration. Protestants and Catholics lived in communities together and argued about their religious beliefs. Elizabeth’s government experienced this same division. Many of the Catholic clergy sat in the House of Lords and some would not convert to Protestantism. Therefore Elizabeth wanted to avoid 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. She wanted to create a Protestant Church that the majority of Catholics could accept. She established a Church that looked Catholic but conducted Protestant services. She hoped this would avoid any Catholic uprisings against her.
The Puritans frightened Elizabeth. Puritans wanted their own church without the leadership of a pope or a monarch. Some Puritans even believed they had the right to overthrow their monarchs. This was unacceptable to Elizabeth and her belief in Divine Right.
Elizabeth created the best compromise possible given the challenging religious environment she had inherited.
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 |
Act of Uniformity
The Act of Uniformity ensured that all churches looked the same and delivered equivalent church services
The table below lists the key aspects of this Act and how it impacted the Church and people:
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 on 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 |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
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.
Royal Injunctions
Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth’s Secretary of State, issued the Royal Injunctions to support the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity
The Impact of Royal Injunctions on Elizabethan England
Key aspects of the Royal Injunctions | Impact on the Church and people |
It was a requirement for the clergy to teach that the Queen was in charge of the Church | Many clergy accepted this practice |
The Privy Council received information about anyone who refused to attend church | Many Catholics decided to publicly show loyalty to the Church of England. Elizabeth’s government did not mind Catholics conducting religious services in private |
Priests needed a license to preach. They had to perform services at least once a month | The clergy accepted the government monitoring their practices. They received visitations once every three to four years. The clergy had to present their licences to officials |
The banning of pilgrimages and worshipping of ‘fake miracles’ | Catholics could interpret this to mean that there were real miracles. Protestants and Puritans disapproved of the practice of worshipping idols. The Bible stated it was a sin to pray to images of God or other religious symbols |
The causes and the consequences of Elizabeth’s Religious Settlement
Worked Example
Describe one feature of the Act of Uniformity
2 marks
Answers:
One feature of the Act of Uniformity was its statement on how churches should look (1). Elizabeth retained many elements of the Catholic Church as they were allowed to have decoration (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
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