The establishment of the Church of England, 1558–c1570 (A-level only) revision notes

The Establishment of the Church of England (1558–c1570)

Key Context

Upon Elizabeth I's accession in 1558, England was deeply divided religiously. The Catholic Church had been reinstated under Mary I, leading to significant Protestant émigrés and internal divisions among those who supported a Protestant Church.

Elizabeth’s Religious Aims

Elizabeth aimed to create a middle ground that would reconcile Catholics and Protestants. Her personal beliefs leaned towards Protestantism, but she sought to maintain peace and stability in a divided nation.

Legislative Framework

The Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity were crucial in re-establishing the Church of England. The Act of Supremacy declared Elizabeth as the Supreme Governor of the Church, while the Act of Uniformity set out the new Book of Common Prayer, aiming for a standardized form of worship.

Supporters and Opponents

The Settlement faced challenges from various factions. The Visitations were implemented to consolidate the Settlement, but controversies such as the Vestiarian Controversy highlighted ongoing tensions. Many Catholics acquiesced to the new order, but dissent remained.

Maintaining the Settlement

The threat from Mary Queen of Scots and the resurgence of Catholicism, exemplified by the Rising of the Northern Earls in 1569, posed significant challenges to Elizabeth’s Settlement. By 1570, the consensus that had initially supported the Settlement began to fracture, revealing the precarious nature of Elizabeth's religious policies.