Conflicting Religious Perspectives (1517 - 1558)

After the Reformation, Christians held fundamentally different views about the relationship between individuals, the church and state. By claiming to be the only true Church, each implied the others were false and leading people astray, not just with regards to their earthly lives but also their eternal destiny.

For the powerful, this could mean persecuting religious minorities, whilst for others withdrawal from the world. Whilst Catholics could practise their faith in secret in the presence of a Catholic priest, and Anabaptist could meet together in secret, Calvinists wanted to affirm their godliness as part of a visible church community.

Elizabeth and her privy councillors needed to negotiate with foreign statesmen and ambassadors from opposing side. As they prepared to start a new chapter in the nation’s life, each would each have their own affiliations too, as would Westminster parliamentarians and their patrons.

This was also true across the nation, with many having suffered personally in recent years. And if the family farm had always prospered after praying to Catholic Saint Isidore, why contemplate change? If one’s fellow guildsmen were Calvinists, it made sense to be one too.

The unique English settlement that they reached was a truly remarkable feat, yet one which did not end religious conflict.

Bible quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version