The Religious Settlement of 1559
The Religious Settlement of 1559
One of Elizabeth's first and most important tasks was to settle the religious divisions that had torn England apart for over 25 years. Since Henry VIII's break with Rome in the 1530s, England had swung between Protestantism (under Edward VI, 1547-53) and Catholicism (under Mary I, 1553-58). Elizabeth needed a settlement that would unite the country and avoid further conflict.
Elizabeth's Position
Elizabeth was a Protestant — her mother, Anne Boleyn, had been a champion of the Reformation, and Elizabeth had been raised Protestant. However, she was also politically pragmatic: she wanted a settlement that as many people as possible could accept. She disliked religious extremism of any kind.
The Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity (1559)
Elizabeth's religious settlement was established by two Acts of Parliament:
Act of Supremacy (1559)
- Elizabeth became Supreme Governor of the Church of England (not "Supreme Head" — a deliberate choice to appease Catholics who believed only the Pope or Christ could head the Church).
- All clergy and royal officials had to swear an oath of supremacy acknowledging Elizabeth's authority over the Church. Refusal meant loss of office.
- The heresy laws were repealed — Elizabeth would not burn people for their religious beliefs (unlike her sister Mary).
Act of Uniformity (1559)
- Established a new Book of Common Prayer (revised from Edward VI's 1552 version) for use in all churches.
- Church services were to be in English, not Latin.
- Everyone was required to attend church on Sundays and holy days — absence was punished by a fine of one shilling (12 pence) per week ("recusancy fines").
- The wording of the communion service was deliberately ambiguous — it could be interpreted as either Catholic (the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ) or Protestant (the communion is symbolic).
The Royal Injunctions (1559)
- 39 regulations on how the Church should operate.
- Clergy had to teach the Royal Supremacy.
- Pilgrimages and superstitious practices were banned.
- Each parish had to have an English Bible.
- Clergy could marry (a Protestant position).
- Church decorations were simplified, but not stripped bare — a middle way between Catholic ornamentation and Puritan plainness.
The Thirty-Nine Articles (1563)
- Defined the beliefs of the Church of England.
- Protestant in theology: salvation by faith alone; the Bible as the supreme authority; only two sacraments (baptism and communion) instead of the Catholic seven.
- But retained some Catholic elements: bishops, church hierarchy, some ceremonies.
The "Middle Way" (Via Media)
Elizabeth's settlement is often described as a "middle way" between Catholicism and Protestantism:
| Catholic elements kept | Protestant elements adopted |
|---|---|
| Bishops and church hierarchy | English Bible and services |
| Some traditional vestments (clergy robes) | Supreme Governor (not the Pope) |
| Crucifixes in churches | No belief in transubstantiation required |
| Cathedral music and some ceremony | Clergy could marry |
Reactions to the Settlement
- Most English people accepted the settlement — it gave them a familiar form of worship without extremism.
- Catholics were unhappy: the Pope excommunicated Elizabeth in 1570, declaring her subjects did not have to obey her. This made all Catholics potential traitors in the eyes of the government.
- Puritans (extreme Protestants) wanted the settlement to go further: they wanted to remove bishops, ban vestments, simplify services, and make the Church more like Calvin's church in Geneva. They became increasingly vocal in the 1570s and 1580s.
Key Exam Points
- Understand the terms of the settlement and how it tried to be a compromise.
- Be prepared to explain why Elizabeth chose a "middle way" — political stability was her priority.
- Know the reactions of Catholics and Puritans — these provide the context for the threats Elizabeth faced.