Religion and the monarchy
A Protestant queen
Elizabeth I of England (b. 1533) reigned from 1558-1603. She was a convinced Protestant, unlike her older sister, Mary, who had tried to turn England back to Catholicism. She saw the need to keep a middle way or via media, as it was called:
- She didn't care for the Puritans
- She was afraid of the Catholics, because she saw them as plotting with England's great enemy, Spain, to overthrow her. She didn't like other smaller Protestant groups. They were allowed to exist but their members could not hold public office or to get a university degree.
James I
When Elizabeth died, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. He wished to unite the Church of England and the Reformed (or Presbyterian) Church of Scotland.
Charles I
James' son, Charles, married a Catholic, so when he became king, he was prepared to allow Catholics some leeway. He also tried to encourage the Church of England to become more Catholic in its liturgy. His agent for doing this was Archbishop Laud. Unfortunately, the Puritans had had high hopes under James and they bitterly resented this move away from more Protestant models.
War and after
Eventually, the Civil War broke out, which resulted in the Commonwealth being established under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was an Independent, which meant:
- He belonged to the small group of Protestants outside the Church of England
- He didn't believe in a state church at all, which in those days was quite revolutionary
- He didn't believe in bishops.
During the decade of the Commonwealth period, the 1650s, people were allowed to worship in greater freedom (except for the Catholics). A number of new, and sometimes quite unorthodox, churches were set up, including the Quakers, a group who were often harassed.
Under the later Stuart kings
When the Stuarts were restored to the throne, the Church of England reasserted itself. The smaller Protestant groups were heavily controlled and their ministers or clergy often lost their jobs. One of these was a Baptist preacher called John Bunyan. When thrown into prison, he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, one of the most famous Christian works of fiction ever written.
Greater tolerance
When William III and Mary II came to the throne in 1689, toleration was extended to everyone to worship as they wanted. However, it was not until 150 years later that it became possible for non-Anglicans to hold public office or get a degree from an English university.
The last Tudor monarch, Queen of England from 1558 – 1603
Christians whose faith and practice stems from the Reformation movement in the sixteenth century which resulted in new churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church.
1. Sometimes used to denote all Christians
2. Used specifically of the Roman Catholic church.
Originally, a sixteenth and early seventeenth century Protestant, usually a Calvinist, who wished to reform the Church of England of all its Catholic characteristics.
King James I of England (1603-25) who was also James VI of Scotland
The 'Established' or state church of England, the result of a break with the Catholic church under Henry VIII and further developments in the reign of Elizabeth I.
Member of the Presbyterian Church, a worldwide Protestant church, which is governed not by bishops but by minsters and lay elders.
A set form of a worship service in church, usually written down. This includes set prayers and Bible readings for certain weeks of the year.
The title given to the bishop who oversees the other bishops within his province.
A civil war is a war within a specific country or territory between forces from within the country. Famous civil wars include the English Civil War and the American Civil War (1860-65).
1. The period after 1649 when England was ruled as a republic until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. 2. A voluntary organisation, made up of many of the countries which used to be part of the British Empire.
(1599- 1658) English statesman and soldier. Puritan Member of Parliament who led the Roundhead forces during the English Civil War. Following the defeat and death of Charles I, Cromwell ruled as 'Lord Protector' from 1653 to 1658.
In certain Christian denominations leader of the Christian community within a geographical area.
Name given to members of the 'Society of Friends', founded in the seventeenth century by George Fox. Quakers usually avoid set forms of worship, leaving individuals free to contribute as they wish.
Middle French menestre, ministre 'servant'. Someone who serves God and other people; used of those who hold office and lead worship in the Christian Church. Also verb form, to minister
The collective term for priests and ministers of the church (as opposed to the non-ordained laity).
One of the largest Protestant churches. Stresses the importance of only baptising (usually by immersion) people who are old enough to make a personal profession of faith based on accepting the forgiveness offered by God through Jesus Christ.
A person within a church appointed to give a sermon at the worship services of that church. He may be the leader of that church, or someone within that church recognised as having a special ability to preach.
(1628-1668) A Christian writer and non-conformist preacher famed for writing The Pilgrim’s Progress.
John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' published in the late seventeenth century tells the story of a representative figure of humankind who leaves his home and family in the City of Destruction to set off for the Celestial City of heaven.
