The Religious Settlement

What was the Religious Settlement?

The Religious Settlement was an effort by Elizabeth I to unite the country. It was intended to resolve the dispute between Catholics and Protestants. As a Protestant, Elizabeth had to tread carefully between both faiths to maintain unity.

Why was the Religious Settlement of 1559 necessary?

England was in religious turmoil and there were several problems Elizabeth needed to face when tackling the issue.

• ❖ Most people in Elizabethan England were Catholic, but the majority of the government was Protestant.
• ❖ The most powerful countries in Europe were Catholic.
• ❖ Religious changes in the past had caused rebellions.
• ❖ Mary, Queen of Scots, claimed she was the rightful Queen of England and many Catholics supported her.
• ❖ Elizabeth I wanted the country to be united and didn't want people to be punished for their beliefs.
• ❖ Elizabeth I needed a national church which most of her people would accept.

What differences between Catholics and Protestants caused the Religious Settlement?

Catholicism and Protestantism beliefs differed in many ways:

• ❖ Catholics believed the bible and church services should be in Latin.
• ❖ Protestants held services in English and had an English bible, making it more accessible.
• ❖ The pope is the head of the Catholic church.
• ❖ As national leader, Elizabeth I was head of the Protestant church.
• ❖ Catholics worship saints while Protestants do not.
• ❖ Catholic priests cannot marry, whereas Protestant clergy can.

How were the changes of the Religious Settlement implemented?

They were implemented in the Act of Uniformity and the Act of Supremacy of 1559.

What key changes to religion did the Religious Settlement introduce?

There were 4 important changes made by Elizabeth.

• ❖ The Act of Uniformity stated church services had to be in English, a new prayer book was to be used and the Bible was to be in English.
• ❖ The Protestant faith was re-established in England. Elizabeth worked hard through propaganda to link loyalty to her with loyalty to the Church.
• ❖ The Act of Supremacy named Elizabeth as supreme governor of the Church of England. All clergy had to swear an oath to her. Only a few refused, and they were sacked.
• ❖ Priests and the clergy were allowed to marry.

What was the outcome of the Religious Settlement?

England became a more secular society. Protestantism was the official religion of England, but Catholicism was also accepted, instead of its followers being persecuted.

What was the reaction of the Catholics to the Religious Settlement?

England had been a Catholic nation under the rule of the previous monarch, Mary I. Catholics were not happy with the Religious Settlement.

• ❖ They were angry that Latin mass was banned, and many continued to hold this service with priests in secret. Some even refused to attend church as Elizabeth refused to strictly enforce the recusancy fines of 5p.
• ❖ More than anything, English Catholics still viewed the pope as the head of their church, not Elizabeth as supreme governor.
• ❖ On 25th February 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth from the Catholic church in the papal bull. This lead to an increase in opposition from Catholics as they saw it as their duty to rise up against her.

What was the reaction of the Puritans to the Religious Settlement?

Puritans were unhappy with the settlement as they believed that Elizabeth should have legislated for a truly radical Puritan church.