Religious Situation in 1603
Catholicism
Recusants (refused to attend Anglican services) few in number
Recusants had to pay heavy fines for non attendance and so were limited to richer classes
Needed priests to celebrate mass and keep Catholicism alive but most executed under Elizabeth
Some nostalgia for catholic religious practises, but Catholicism was associated with Spain- enemy of England and with absolute government- little expectation that Catholics would grow in influence
Puritanism
Far more Puritans than Catholics in England
Hoped James would revise Church Settlement of 1559 which Elizabeth refused to do
They wanted removal of symbols like the ring used in marriage, less power for bishops, less emphasis on sacrements and more Bible reading and preaching of sermons
Church of England
King supreme governor
Controlled by bishops and archbishops who sat in House of Lords
Had rectors and vicars in every town and village but they were often poorly paid and educated
Most of its members were moderate Protestants but Puritans were a vocal commodity
Arminians, who wanted more elaborate services and decorated churches were a growing number within the church
Elizabeth's bishops and archbishops had largely dealt with the threat from the Puritans- forced to meet in secret for bible study and sermons
Elizabeth had insisted on strict outward conformity to her church and was less concerned about what they believed as long as they attended the Church of England on Sunday
Catholics make up less than 5% of population of England in 1603
Most English Catholics refused to attend national church- suspected of disloyalty to monarch and country
Most remained loyal to monarch
Some Puritans refused to attend Anglican services- minority grew during later years of Elizabeth reign- many non-conformists looked to Presbyterian system in Scotland which held their should be no bishops or archbishops in church only ministers appointed within the church
Many were unhappy about church's practises and values
Church lacked educated clergy- fewer than half the parishes in the country possessed a university-educated minister
Property of church was all too often controlled by wealthy land owners who milked tithe revenues and failed adequately to fund the local parish clergy
Disrespect towards Gods house- often used as meeting place or market and gambling- worried many on both wings of Anglican establishment
Religion generally
Little toleration of opposing religious views
Every group believed it was true religion and every other group was in error
Religious beliefs matter of life and death on an eternal scale- could go to hell
Arguments about religion
The position of the altar in a church
The form of worship
Priests clothes (vestments)
Preaching
Use of ring in marriage
A new prayer book
Hopeful with James on throne due to his Presbyterian upbringing
Hopeful for James on throne due to James mother and wife Anne of Denmark being Catholics