OCR Specification focus:
‘the Anglican Church and Puritanism; the Hampton Court Conference (1604).’
The reign of James I was marked by intense religious debate, centring on the structure and character of the Anglican Church. The early seventeenth century saw significant tensions between those who defended the Elizabethan settlement and Puritan reformers pressing for further change. The Hampton Court Conference of 1604 represented a key moment in this conflict, as James I sought to address religious demands while asserting his royal authority.
The Anglican Church under James I
The Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, was a product of the Elizabethan Settlement of 1559. It attempted to balance Protestant doctrine with certain traditional practices, creating a via media or “middle way” between Roman Catholicism and continental Protestantism.
Episcopacy: The Church was governed by bishops, appointed by the monarch, which reinforced the crown’s supremacy over religious matters.
Episcopal polity is a hierarchical form of church governance in which bishops oversee clergy within their dioceses. This diagram visualises the flow of authority from bishop to parish ministers typical of the Church of England. It complements the description of episcopacy in the notes. Source
The Book of Common Prayer: Liturgical uniformity was maintained through a standardised prayer book.
Doctrinal Basis: The Thirty-Nine Articles provided a Protestant theological framework, though open to varying interpretations.
This compromise satisfied few extremes. While conformists defended its balance, Puritans regarded it as insufficiently reformed.
Puritanism: A movement within English Protestantism that sought to “purify” the Church of England of remnants of Roman Catholic ritual, hierarchy, and doctrine.
Puritanism in the Early Seventeenth Century
Puritanism developed from within the Church, gaining momentum during Elizabeth I’s reign. By the time James I came to the throne in 1603, Puritan groups had become well-organised and vocal.
Puritans emphasised:
Simplicity in Worship: Rejection of vestments, elaborate ceremonies, and hierarchical authority.
Preaching and Scripture: Focus on sermons and the authority of the Bible.
Moral Discipline: Strong emphasis on personal piety, Sabbath observance, and social reform.
While many Puritans were loyal to the crown, their demands for reform challenged the authority of bishops and, by extension, royal supremacy in religion.
James I’s Approach to Religion
James I inherited a kingdom deeply divided over religion. As a Scottish king, he had experience with Presbyterianism, the Calvinist form of church governance that rejected bishops in favour of elected elders. However, upon becoming King of England, James quickly distanced himself from this model.
His famous remark, “No bishop, no king,” reflected his conviction that episcopal authority was essential to monarchical control. By defending bishops, he defended his own prerogative. Nevertheless, James sought initially to present himself as a monarch willing to listen to grievances, which led to the calling of the Hampton Court Conference.
The Hampton Court Conference, 1604
The Hampton Court Conference was convened in January 1604 at the royal palace of Hampton Court. It was a direct response to the Millenary Petition (1603), a document allegedly signed by around 1,000 Puritan ministers, which outlined their requests for reform.
State Papers Domestic list the bishops and Puritan ministers invited to the Hampton Court Conference on 12 January 1604. This manuscript page shows the planned participants and underscores the conference’s formal remit. The image is a high-resolution, zoomable scan provided by The National Archives. Source
Aims of the Conference
To hear Puritan concerns in a controlled setting.
To reaffirm the king’s authority in religious matters.
To prevent Puritan agitation from spilling into open political conflict.
Key Puritan Demands
Abolition of certain ceremonies such as the sign of the cross in baptism.
Replacement of bishops with a presbyterian model.
Removal of the requirement for ministers to wear surplices (clerical vestments).
Greater emphasis on preaching and the teaching of scripture.
James I’s Responses
James listened but largely dismissed the more radical demands, especially those attacking episcopacy. He rejected presbyterian structures outright, seeing them as incompatible with monarchy.
However, the conference did produce some limited concessions:
Agreement to produce a new, authorised translation of the Bible.
Some reforms to Church courts.
Increased provision for preaching.
The most lasting outcome was the commissioning of the King James Bible (published 1611), which became a central text of English Protestantism.
Engraved title page of the 1611 King James Bible, produced by the royal commission authorised after Hampton Court. It shows an architectural border with Moses and Aaron, the four Evangelists, and other iconography. The decorative symbolism exceeds syllabus requirements but helps students recognise the 1611 imprint. Source
Outcomes and Significance of the Hampton Court Conference
Limited Reform
The Hampton Court Conference failed to meet Puritan hopes for sweeping reform. Most of their demands were ignored, reinforcing tensions between Puritans and the crown.
Strengthening of Royal Authority
James used the conference to emphasise his authority over religion. By supporting episcopacy, he reinforced the link between monarchy and church governance.
Long-Term Consequences
The refusal to make substantial concessions deepened Puritan frustration.
The new Bible translation provided a unifying text, but it did not heal underlying divisions.
The conference revealed James’s suspicion of Puritanism, which became increasingly evident in later years.
The Conference
The Hampton Court Conference represented James I’s balancing act between maintaining order and showing a limited willingness to reform. While it led to the creation of the King James Bible, it also entrenched Puritan grievances that would contribute to broader religious and political conflicts throughout his reign and into that of his son, Charles I.
FAQ
The Millenary Petition, presented to James I in 1603, was signed by around 1,000 Puritan ministers. It was significant because it outlined specific grievances with the Anglican Church, such as ceremonies and clerical dress, while emphasising loyalty to the crown.
By showing the scale of Puritan discontent, it placed pressure on James to respond formally. This directly prompted him to call the Hampton Court Conference in 1604.
James I allowed Puritans to voice grievances but controlled the discussions firmly. He rejected their more radical demands, particularly the removal of bishops.
By making his stance clear, he reinforced the idea that church governance was tied to monarchical power. His statement “No bishop, no king” captured this view and set the tone for his religious policy.
Although primarily a religious text, the King James Bible had wider cultural significance:
It standardised English prose style and vocabulary, influencing literature and education.
Its wide distribution promoted a sense of national identity.
It provided a unifying text for worship, even if divisions remained in practice.
Its impact stretched far beyond James I’s reign, shaping English language and culture for centuries.
Puritans argued that episcopacy resembled Catholic hierarchy, which they believed was corrupt and unscriptural.
They favoured a presbyterian model, in which elected elders governed the church, claiming this was closer to early Christian practice.
They also believed bishops often neglected preaching in favour of ceremonial duties, undermining the spiritual life of parish communities.
The conference provided minor reforms, such as addressing church courts and agreeing to a new Bible translation. However, it did not satisfy Puritans’ core demands.
Their grievances about episcopacy, ceremonies, and clerical dress remained unresolved. Instead of easing tensions, the conference revealed the limits of James’s willingness to reform, setting the stage for continued opposition.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
What was the most significant outcome of the Hampton Court Conference of 1604?
Mark scheme:
1 mark for identifying the commissioning of a new Bible translation.
1 mark for correctly naming it as the King James Bible (Authorised Version) or stating its publication in 1611.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain why Puritans were dissatisfied with the Anglican Church at the beginning of James I’s reign.
Mark scheme:
Award up to 2 marks for each clear reason given, supported with relevant detail, up to a maximum of 6 marks.
Indicative points include:
The retention of ceremonies (e.g., sign of the cross in baptism) which Puritans considered remnants of Catholicism.
The requirement for clergy to wear vestments such as surplices, which Puritans regarded as unnecessary.
The continued use of bishops (episcopacy), which Puritans opposed in favour of presbyterian structures.
Insufficient emphasis on preaching and biblical instruction in parish life.
The lack of further reform beyond the Elizabethan Settlement, which Puritans considered incomplete.
Answers must explain dissatisfaction; general statements without explanation should not receive more than 1 mark per point.
