ELIZABETH I (Ruled 1558 – 1603) Elizabeth (daughter of Anne Boleyn) through the “Act of Supremacy” (1559), revoked some of Mary’s changes and made herself “Supreme Governor” of the Church of England. In reaction, Scotland broke from the Church of England and established a Calvinist Church (Presbyterian) in 1560 under the leadership of John Knox.

Excommunication of Elizabeth In 1570, Pope Pius V declared Elizabeth a “pretend Queen”; released all her subjects from allegiance to her and excommunicated anyone who obeyed her orders. Her excommunication forced Catholics to choose. Around a hundred priests were executed for treason. Others wanted more reform, and a purer church (= “Puritans”). More radical reformers included Shakers and Quakers. England was at the brink of religious civil war when she died in 1603.

Radical Protestants burned at Stake

Catholics burned at Stake

JAMES I (Ruled 1603-1625) James I became King James VI, King of Scots, in 1567 when we was 13 months old after his mother, Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate. He became ruler of England (and Ireland) upon Elizabeth’s death and ruled both kingdoms from 1603 to1625. Was a Protestant and head of the church. Forced everyone to take an oath of allegiance to the King, but allowed Catholics who took the oath to continue to attend Catholic Church Strictly enforced conformity over the Puritans and other radical reformers, inducing a sense of persecution. Many fled to America.

King James Bible The Commission meet from 1604 to 1611 Need to achieve consensus Puritans, Presbyterians, Parliament and Prayerbook Puritans fled, with their (“Geneva”) Bible

Radical Protestants burned at Stake

Catholics burned at Stake

CHARLES I (Ruled 1625-1649) Was a Protestant, but Married Henrietta Maria of the French (Catholic) royal family; and she freely engaged in pro-Catholic activities, arousing suspicion Charles tried to draw a middle line. He attempted to impose a form of “High Anglicanism” (Arminianism) on England and then in Scotland. Puritans saw this as a return to Catholicism. Lead to Puritan rebellion.

Meanwhile back on the Continent … Theological between Catholics and Protestants, aka, “Thirty Years’ War” (1618 to1648. 

17th Century English “Dissenters” Anabaptists Diggers Fifth Monarchists Levellers Puritans Quakers Ranters Sabbatarians Seekers

Religious “Dissent” “The doctrine which, from the very first origin of religious dissensions, has been held by bigots of all sects, when condensed into a few words and stripped of rhetorical disguise, is simply this: I am in the right, and you are in the wrong. When you are the stronger, you ought to tolerate me, for it is your duty to tolerate truth; but when I am the stronger, I shall persecute you, for it is my duty to persecute error.” -- James Mackintosh,

King Charles I beheaded (30 January, 1649) English Civil War (1642-1651) King Charles I beheaded (30 January, 1649)

Cromwell’s “Puritan” Protectorate 1653 – 1658 (old style) United Puritan England, Presbyterian Scotland and Catholic Ireland into a united “Britain” Established a constitution with a single head of state (Lord Protector) who was responsible to Parliament Pushed for “freedom of religion”, especially (exclusively?) for Protestants Social reforms meant to restore liberty of conscience and promote both outward and inwardly godliness throughout England. Saw Irish Catholics as his opponents.

CHARLES II (Ruled 1658-1685) Son of Charles I, Invited back to the throne after Cromwell’s Protectorate “Restoration” of the Monarchy. Wanted to be religiously tolerant, but Parliament both distrusted his Catholic family and was strongly anti-Puritan. Found the Royal Society to promote science (Isaac Newton was a member) Charles converted to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed!

Catholics burned at Stake

Deism Deism wanted to apply the rational study of nature to the study of theology and religion.   Early Deists believed that the Bible contained important truths, but they did not accept that it was divinely inspired. Rather, they saw the Bible as an historical document. Lord Herbert of Cherbury (d. 1648) listed the “Five Articles of English Deists in his book "De Veritate," (1624): Belief in the existence of a single supreme God Humanity's duty to revere God Linkage of worship with practical morality God will forgive us if we repent and abandon our sins Good works will be rewarded (and punishment for evil) both in life and after death

Cultural Differences as Well

Reformation Europe

Protestant Development

Mass=Puritan New York = Dutch Reform (+ Lutheran, etc Mass=Puritan New York = Dutch Reform (+ Lutheran, etc.) New Jersey = Presbyterian (+ Quaker) R.I. = Baptist Penn = Quaker Md = Catholic Del= Lutheran, Reformed Va = Anglican