How Did Elizabeth Solve the Issue of Religion? (Edexcel GCSE History: British Depth Study (Paper 2, Booklet B))

The Reformation which saw Martin Luther nail The Ninety-Five Theses on the door of his local church in Wittenberg, Germany.

Mary I wanted a divorce so she created the Church of England to divorce her husband, Philip II of Spain.

The English Reformation saw Henry VIII ‘break from Rome’ and create the independent Church of England with himself as the Head of the Church rather than the Pope.

Elizabeth’s half-brother, Edward was nicknamed ‘Bloody Edward’ for his execution of Protestants.

The clergy resisted having to teach that the Queen was in charge of the Church.

The Privy Council received information about anyone who refused to attend church. Catholics practising in private were punished heavily.

The Royal Injunction banned ‘fake miracles.’ Catholic priests were angry that they had to stop worshipping idols.

Priests needed a license to preach. The clergy had to present their licences to officials.

Catholics considered crucifixes as idols. They believed that the worship of idols was a sin against God.

Puritans considered crucifixes as idols. They believed that the worship of idols was a sin against God.

Elizabeth was worried that removing the crucifixes would upset Catholic bishops.

Some Protestant bishops threatened to resign if Elizabeth did not allow them to remove the crucifix from their churches.

In 1566, the Pope instructed all Catholics to not attend Church of England services.

The Pope stated that all Catholics should follow the Religious Settlement. God has chosen Elizabeth as queen so her word should be followed.

From 1559 onwards, the Pope planned all the Catholic plots to overthrow Elizabeth and replace her with a Catholic monarch.

The Pope declared the Reformation movement in Europe to support local Catholic communities and attack Protestants.

Elizabeth followed an aggressive policy. She ordered Robert Dudley to invade the Netherlands to help support the Dutch Protestants.

Elizabeth followed a defensive policy. In 1567, she allowed the Dutch Protestants to flee to England. She reinforced England’s defences and waited for an attack from Spain.

Elizabeth did nothing to help the Dutch Protestants. Elizabeth did not believe that the cause was worth causing a war with Spain over.

Elizabeth followed an obstructive policy. In 1567, Elizabeth allowed the Sea Beggars, a group of Dutch rebels, to dock in England’s harbours.

Protestants believe that the Pope in Rome is the Head of the Church. Catholics believe that the monarch is the Head of the Church.

Protestants believe that there should be no Head of the Church. Catholics believe that the Pope is the Head of the Church.

Protestants believe that the Pope in Rome is the Head of the Church. Catholics believe that there is no Head of the Church.

Protestants believe that the monarch is the Head of the Church. Catholics believe that the Pope in Rome is the Head of the Church.

The Church of England had no role in the success of the Religious Settlement. Elizabeth’s government had more of a role in enforcing the Settlement.

The Church of England had a small role in the success of the Religious Settlement. Priests could talk to their congregation and persuade them to follow the new rules.

The Church of England had a significant role in the success of the Religious Settlement. It had the responsibility of enforcing the Settlement.

The role of the Church of England in the success of the Religious Settlement was varied. In the South, churches actively ignored the Settlement whereas in the North, they strongly enforced the new rules.

The Religious Settlement made no changes to English churches. Churches remained individual and reflective of the faith of their local communities.

The Religious Settlement made some changes to English churches. Most of the changes focused on how churches looked rather than the services that they provided.

The Religious Settlement made some changes but not enough to anger her subjects. Changes to church services and prayer books were the biggest changes.

The Religious Settlement made significant changes. Churches were unrecognisable in their looks, services and how they were run.

The Puritans did not have an alternative monarch or the help of a foreign country to depose Elizabeth.

Elizabeth did not need the support of the Puritan clergymen. She could ignore their demands.

Puritans were the majority faith in England. She needed to listen to their demands.

Puritans had support from powerful foreign countries. She could not anger the Puritans too much as this could risk an invasion.

Elizabeth’s reaction was not important. Elizabeth felt that the Duke of Alba had acted appropriately. The Dutch should not attempt to overthrow their divinely chosen monarch, Philip II of Spain.

Elizabeth’s reaction was somewhat important. Elizabeth wanted to do more to support the Dutch Revolt. However, she was advised by her advisers that the Duke of Alba’s Counter-Reformation would be contained to the Netherlands.

Elizabeth’s reaction was important because it showed how limited she was in her response. Elizabeth did not want to anger Spain and worried about how a violent response could trigger a civil war in England.

Elizabeth’s reaction was very important. Elizabeth wanted to become a martyr for Protestantism. She condemned the Duke of Alba’s and Philip II’s actions in the Netherlands. She was unafraid and prepared to go to war.