Early Elizabethan England, 1559: The Religious Settlement
The Religious Settlement of 1559 was Elizabeth's attempt to establish a lasting, workable form of Protestantism that most of her subjects, whether committed Catholics or committed Protestants, could accept without rebelling. The Act of Supremacy made Elizabeth 'Supreme Governor' of the Church of England, a deliberately softer title than Henry VIII's 'Supreme Head', chosen partly because many believed a woman could not head the Church, and required officials and clergy to swear an oath accepting her authority. The Act of Uniformity introduced a single Book of Common Prayer for use in every church, made church attendance compulsory, and set a fine of one shilling for each unexcused absence, known as the recusancy fine. Royal Injunctions issued the same year regulated clergy behaviour and church furnishings in detail. Together these measures created a compromise, sometimes called the 'via media' or middle way, that kept some traditional features, such as bishops and clerical vestments, within a Church that was doctrinally Protestant.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Learn the two key Acts and what each one did: the Act of Supremacy (1559) made Elizabeth 'Supreme Governor' of the Church of England; the Act of Uniformity (1559) set out compulsory forms of worship and church attendance.
- Learn the precise details examiners reward: the 'Supreme Governor' title (not 'Supreme Head'), the single compulsory Book of Common Prayer, and the one shilling fine for each unexcused absence from church.
- Learn why the Settlement is described as a compromise or 'via media': it satisfied moderate Protestants with its doctrine while keeping some traditional Catholic-style features, such as bishops, vestments and elaborate church buildings, to avoid alienating conservative subjects.
- For 'describe two features of' questions on the Settlement, pick two specific, factual features (e.g. the Act of Supremacy's title, and the Act of Uniformity's fine) rather than a general description of 'the new religion'.
- For 'explain why' questions about Elizabeth choosing a compromise, treat political caution, religious belief and the need for national unity as separate, nameable reasons, each supported by a specific fact from the Settlement.
- For 16-mark judgement questions on how successful or how moderate the Settlement was, use both sides: evidence of successful compromise (broad early compliance, the retained middle way) against evidence of continued tension (Puritan and Catholic dissatisfaction, covered in later topics), before giving a supported judgement.
Worked example
Explain why Elizabeth's Religious Settlement of 1559 can be described as a compromise. You may use the following in your answer: the Act of Supremacy, and the Act of Uniformity. You must also use information of your own.
- Plan the two given factors plus one of your own: the Act of Supremacy's title, the Act of Uniformity's rules, and a third point such as the retention of bishops and vestments.
- Develop the Act of Supremacy point: choosing 'Supreme Governor' rather than 'Supreme Head' avoided directly claiming the same religious authority Henry VIII had claimed, softening the change for Catholics who objected to a monarch heading the Church, especially a female monarch.
- Develop the Act of Uniformity point: it enforced a single Protestant form of worship (the Book of Common Prayer) and made attendance compulsory, but the one shilling fine for absence was relatively low, allowing some quiet non-compliance rather than forcing an immediate, visible confrontation.
- Add the own-knowledge point: the Church kept traditional features such as bishops, cathedrals and some vestments, which pleased religious conservatives even though the doctrine taught was clearly Protestant.
- Conclude by linking the points: by combining Protestant doctrine with familiar, traditional structures and moderate enforcement, the Settlement aimed to hold together as many subjects as possible rather than satisfying only one side.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1What title did the Act of Supremacy give Elizabeth over the Church of England?Show answer
Answer: Supreme Governor (rather than Henry VIII's title of Supreme Head).
Q2What did the Act of Uniformity require every church to use?Show answer
Answer: A single, compulsory Book of Common Prayer for services.
Q3What was the fine for not attending church without a valid excuse, and what was this fine called?Show answer
Answer: One shilling per absence; it was known as the recusancy fine.
Q4Why is the Religious Settlement sometimes called the 'via media' or 'middle way'?Show answer
Answer: Because it combined Protestant doctrine with some traditional features, such as bishops and certain vestments, in an attempt to satisfy both moderate Protestants and religious conservatives.
Q5Give one reason Elizabeth may have preferred the title 'Supreme Governor' to 'Supreme Head'.Show answer
Answer: It was a less direct religious claim, which was politically useful because many people, especially Catholics, believed a woman could not be head of the Church.
Q6What were the Royal Injunctions of 1559?Show answer
Answer: Detailed instructions issued alongside the Settlement regulating clergy conduct and church furnishings, to help enforce the new religious order.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE History exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Describe two features of the Religious Settlement of 1559.
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Explain why Elizabeth's Religious Settlement of 1559 can be described as a compromise. You may use the following in your answer: the Act of Supremacy, and the Act of Uniformity. You must also use information of your own.
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'The Religious Settlement of 1559 was a success.' How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. You may use the following in your answer: the level of early compliance, and the retention of traditional features. You must also use information of your own.
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Free printable worksheet
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