Elizabeth I - Catholics vs Puritans

By Ph0en1x
  • Period: 1558 to 1563

    The Elizabethan Religious Settlement

    Widely hated by Puritans, who wanted a more Calvinist settlement.
  • Period: 1560 to 1569

    Catholics attend Anglican Services without dispute.

    At this time there was hope of change but it was all relatively peaceful between the Catholics and Elizabeth.
  • 1563

    A petition against Catholicism is launched.

    A group of Bishops petition the convocation to reduce the levels of Catholicism in the church. They lose by 1 vote.
  • 1565

    Phillip II of Spain writes to the Pope

    He promises to deal with the 'heretical queen', but only when it suited Spain.
  • 1566

    Parker's Advertisements

    These Acquiesced that for local churches the full regalia was excessive but maintained that Cope's and Vestments were still needed for any service in a Cathedral. Puritans still found this excessive, insisting that Vestments were the 'livery of the Antichrist'. The advertisements led to 37 able clergy being removed from office.
  • 1567

    As late as 1567 people were hoping the ERS would change.

    Many Catholics hoped it would be in a more conservative mould and many were confused at what religion was actually followed.
  • Nov 5, 1569

    The Northern Rebellion

    Triggered by rumours and conspiracy around the Duke of Norfolk, Westmorland and Northumberland lead a Catholic Rebellion throughout Durham and Yorkshire. It lasts for about a month and a half, and both Earls flee over the Scottish border before being captured.
  • 1570

    Elizabeth is Excommunicated by Pope Pius V

  • 1571

    The Ridolfi Plot

    A Catholic plot to depose Elizabeth and put Mary on the Throne. It was apparently supported by Spain, or so Ridolfi claimed.
  • Apr 12, 1571

    Strickland's Bill

    This aimed to reform the Book of Common Prayer, but he was prevented from attending Parliament so it was never argued for.
  • 1572

    The Bill on Rights and Ceremonies is not passed.

    This was because of the Queen's intervention. She forbids discussion of Religion in Parliament without Bishopric approval.
  • 1574

    The first Catholic Seminary Priests were sent to England

    These priests, from Douai, wanted to convert England back to Catholicism.
  • 1576

    Wentworth makes a speech about clerical abuse

    He is sent to the Tower of London for this offence
  • 1577

    Elizabeth orders Grindal to suppress Prophesyings.

    Prophesyings were meetings for prayer and preaching.
    Elizabeth thought they upset the balance too much and were encouraging Puritanism.
    Grindal refused and was suspended until his death in 1583.
  • 1580

    A greater proportion of English Catholics become Recusants

    Particularly English Catholic Gentry who could afford to host Seminary priests in their houses for private mass.
  • 1580

    Jesuit Priests arrive in Britain

  • 1581

    The Recusancy Fine increases

    From 1 shilling to £20 per month.
  • 1582

    Whitgift's 3 Articles

    These forced all clergy to swear an oath accepting the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. Between 300 and 400 ministers refused and were dismissed from office.

  • Whitgift takes over the High Commision

    He punishes non-conformists with a vengeance.
    This forced the puritan ministers underground and encouraged Seperatism.

  • By this time the government's persecution of Catholics has increased.

  • The Throckmorton Plot

    This led to the establishment of the Bond of Association.
    A presumed Catholic plot, its only link to Mary was that her Cousin was supposdly leading the French Landing.

  • Turner proposes a bill to reform Church of England Governing.

    Hatton gives a speech refuting this, and the Bill is promptly disregarded.

  • The death of the Duke of Anjou in France created political resitance

    From the late 1570s many English Catholics had moved to France, and now where faced with a Protestant heir to both France and Britain.
    More radical political ideas began to be exchanged between French and English Catholics.

  • The Babington Plot

    The Last of the famous Catholic plots.

    Elizabeth was finally cajoled, convinced and pleaded with into signing the death warrant for her cousin.

  • Cope and Wentworth argue for Religious Speech in Parliament

    They are both promptly imprisoned.

  • The First Spanish Armada

    It is defeated by a combination of English tactics and bad luck on the part of the Spanish.

  • The Martin Maprelate Tracts are published

    These were very offensive pamphlets written by an anonymous puritan author. Their offensive nature actually harmed the movement more than encouraging it.

  • Morris attempts to pass a series of bills

    They would have abolished restraint of liberty, oaths, subscriptions and unlawful imprisonment.
    He is promptly suspended.

  • The Act against Seditious Sectaries is passed

    This gave the government the power to arrest, imprison and execute anyone suspected of being a member of the Separatist movement.

  • Recusants' are banned from travelling more than 5 miles.

  • The 2nd Spanish Armada fails

    Also due to bad weather

  • A Third Spanish Armada fails

    Again, destroyed by Storms.