6 Questions
What was the main desire of the Puritans in relation to the Church?
To remove bishops, priests, and vestments from the Church
Which region of England was mainly affected by the Puritans' challenge?
Southeastern England
What proportion of English nobles were secretly practicing Catholics?
One-third
Why did Elizabeth initially tolerate the secret Catholic practices?
To avoid creating martyrs and rebellions
What did the Pope instruct English Catholics to do in 1566?
Not to attend church
Why were the northern nobility a significant threat to Elizabeth's rule?
Their capacity to act independently made them a threat
Study Notes
- Elizabeth I faced two main religious challenges: the Puritans and the more extreme Catholics.
- Puritans wanted to purify the Church by developing their own church without bishops, priests, or vestments. They desired plain churches and simple worship. Some saw the Queen as too Catholic and believed the Pope was the Antichrist.
- Elizabeth refused to remove crucifixes and decorations from churches despite Puritan opposition, as many bishops threatened to resign.
- The Puritans' challenge mainly affected the southeastern part of England, with London and Oxford as major centers.
- The Catholic challenge was more significant as one-third of English nobles and most of the gentry were secretly practicing Catholics, especially in the northern region.
- The northern nobility, angered by their loss of influence and the Queen's favorites, saw permission from the Pope to rebel as an opportunity to act.
- In 1566, the Pope issued instructions for English Catholics not to attend church and forgave them for doing so, allowing them to hide priests and Catholic objects in "priest holes."
- Elizabeth initially tolerated the secret Catholic practices to avoid creating martyrs and rebellions.
- The northern nobility's capacity to act independently made them a significant threat to Elizabeth's rule.
Learn about the religious challenges faced by Elizabeth I, including opposition from the Puritans who sought to purify the Church and the significant threat posed by secret Catholic practices, especially in the northern region of England. Explore how Elizabeth navigated these challenges to maintain her rule.
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