OCR Specification focus:
‘The religious situation and problems in 1558; the Elizabethan Religious Settlement’
The Elizabethan Religious Settlement of 1559 sought to establish a stable, uniform church in England, balancing Protestant reform and Catholic tradition while maintaining political authority.
The Religious Situation in 1558
When Elizabeth I ascended the throne in November 1558, the religious landscape of England was deeply fractured. Her predecessor Mary I had reinstated Catholicism, reversing the Protestant reforms of Edward VI, and many leading clergy remained loyal to Rome. At the same time, a growing minority of the population, particularly in urban centres and parts of the south-east, leaned toward Protestant belief.
Key problems Elizabeth inherited included:
Divided religious loyalties between Catholics and Protestants.
Hostility from Catholic Europe, particularly Spain and the Papacy.
The political threat of Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic with a legitimate claim to the English throne.
The need for Elizabeth to establish her own authority quickly and avoid civil unrest.
Religious Settlement: The legislation passed in 1559 by Elizabeth I to establish the Church of England as a Protestant national church while retaining some Catholic practices.
This context explains why the settlement was both political and religious, designed to unify the kingdom and reinforce royal authority.
Aims of the Settlement
Elizabeth’s goals were not only theological but also practical:
To restore royal supremacy over the Church, which had been abolished under Mary I.
To create religious uniformity to prevent rebellion or social disorder.
To balance extremes, avoiding alienating Catholic nobles while also satisfying Protestant reformers.
To strengthen England’s position internationally, ensuring she was not isolated among Catholic powers.
Elizabeth was personally inclined toward Protestantism but had a cautious and pragmatic outlook. She valued compromise and the avoidance of radicalism.
The Acts of 1559
The Settlement was enacted through two central pieces of legislation:
The Act of Supremacy (1559)
Restored the monarch’s control over the Church.
Elizabeth was given the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England rather than “Supreme Head”, a compromise to appease those who felt a woman could not lead the Church.
All clergy and royal officials were required to swear the Oath of Supremacy, recognising Elizabeth’s authority over the Church.
Page 1 of the Act of Supremacy (1559), restoring the Crown’s authority over the Church and requiring the Oath of Supremacy. Its statute form highlights Elizabeth’s title “Supreme Governor.” Source
Oath of Supremacy: An oath introduced in 1559 requiring clergy and officials to acknowledge Elizabeth I as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Failure to take the oath resulted in removal from office and, for repeated refusal, imprisonment.
The Act of Uniformity (1559)
Imposed the use of a new Book of Common Prayer, which merged the 1549 and 1552 prayer books of Edward VI.
Title page of a 1562 printing of the 1559 Book of Common Prayer, the liturgy enforced by the Act of Uniformity. Its mandatory use aimed to unify outward worship across England. Source
Attendance at Anglican services was made compulsory, with fines for recusancy (failure to attend).
Churches were required to use Protestant liturgy, but ornaments and vestments were permitted, offering a compromise to more traditional worshippers.
This act ensured outward conformity to the new Church, even if private beliefs remained divided.
The Settlement in Practice
The new Church of England reflected a via media (middle way):
Protestant elements: English Bible, simplified services, rejection of papal authority.
Catholic elements: Retention of some ornaments, traditional vestments, and hierarchical structure of bishops.
This balance allowed Elizabeth to avoid provoking either side too strongly, though both Catholic recusants and radical Protestants (later called Puritans) found it unsatisfactory.
Enforcement
The settlement was enforced through:
Royal Injunctions (1559), which set rules for clergy, including preaching requirements and the removal of superstitious images.
Title page of the Royal Injunctions (1559), which gave practical rules to clergy, including preaching standards and removal of images. These orders ensured everyday enforcement of the Settlement at parish level. Source
The Court of High Commission, empowered to ensure conformity to the new religious laws.
Financial penalties for recusancy, designed to deter rather than immediately persecute.
Elizabeth relied heavily on the cooperation of her Privy Council, especially William Cecil, in implementing these measures.
Challenges to the Settlement
Despite its moderate tone, the Settlement faced opposition:
Catholic resistance: Many bishops refused the Oath of Supremacy and were replaced. Ordinary Catholics often conformed outwardly but continued private devotion.
Puritan dissatisfaction: Protestants returning from exile in Geneva and Zurich during Mary’s reign demanded further reform, including the abolition of vestments and episcopacy.
Foreign pressure: Spain and the Papacy disapproved but initially refrained from direct action, as Philip II of Spain hoped to maintain good relations with England.
Elizabeth managed these challenges by deliberate ambiguity, allowing multiple interpretations of certain practices, and by gradually tightening control as her reign progressed.
Significance of the Settlement
The Elizabethan Religious Settlement was foundational for the future of England:
It defined the Church of England’s identity as Protestant in doctrine but retaining Catholic ceremonial elements.
It provided a degree of stability after decades of religious upheaval, helping Elizabeth consolidate her power.
It shaped English politics and society for the remainder of her reign, as religious tensions persisted but outright civil war was avoided.
Ultimately, the Settlement of 1559 reflected Elizabeth’s pragmatic leadership, prioritising unity and authority over strict theological consistency. It marked the beginning of a distinctively English Protestant tradition that would endure beyond her reign.
FAQ
Elizabeth adopted the title Supreme Governor to reduce opposition from both Catholics and some Protestants. Many Catholics objected to a woman leading the Church, while moderate Protestants felt “Supreme Head” was too provocative.
This title allowed Elizabeth to assert authority over the Church without directly challenging entrenched gendered religious beliefs or risking alienating conservative subjects.
Parliament was divided.
The House of Commons, which had a strong Protestant presence, generally supported Elizabeth’s reforms.
The House of Lords, dominated by Catholic bishops, resisted, particularly opposing the Act of Uniformity.
Elizabeth relied on pressure, arrests of dissenting bishops, and careful management of debate to secure passage.
This demonstrates that the Settlement was not achieved without conflict.
Elizabeth’s personal religious views were moderately Protestant, influenced by her upbringing under Edward VI.
She disliked elaborate Catholic rituals but retained a preference for some traditional practices, such as crucifixes and music in worship. This shaped her desire for a via media compromise, ensuring the Church looked traditional enough to avoid alienating conservatives while being Protestant in doctrine.
At first, foreign Catholic powers like Spain and the Papal States were cautious.
Philip II of Spain hoped to maintain an alliance with England and even considered marriage to Elizabeth.
The Papacy initially avoided open condemnation, partly because Elizabeth had not declared herself “Supreme Head.”
Hostility from abroad intensified only after 1568, when Mary, Queen of Scots, entered England and papal policy hardened.
The Settlement prioritised unity and order over individual conviction.
Attendance at Anglican services was compulsory, enforced through recusancy fines.
However, private worship was largely ignored as long as it did not disrupt order.
This approach reduced the risk of persecution-driven rebellion and allowed Elizabeth to maintain political stability despite ongoing religious divisions.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
What title did Elizabeth I adopt in the 1559 Act of Supremacy?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for identifying the title Supreme Governor.
1 additional mark for recognising that this was chosen instead of “Supreme Head” to make the role more acceptable.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two ways in which the Elizabethan Religious Settlement of 1559 sought to achieve religious compromise.
Mark Scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each explanation, with detail required for full marks.
Indicative content:
Use of the Book of Common Prayer (1559), which combined elements of the 1549 and 1552 versions to balance Catholic and Protestant demands. (1 mark for identifying, 2 marks for explaining the balance, 3 marks for linking to compromise).
Retention of some Catholic-style ornaments and vestments, while maintaining Protestant doctrines and services in English. (1 mark for identifying, 2 marks for explaining what this allowed, 3 marks for linking to the policy of moderation).
Maximum 6 marks: clear identification plus explanation of two distinct methods of compromise.
