History · Year 11 · The Weimar Republic 1918–1929 · Autumn Term

Elizabeth's Religious Settlement 1559

The Elizabethan 'Middle Way' and its attempt to create religious stability.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• GCSE: History - Early Elizabethan England

About This Topic

The Religious Settlement of 1559 was Elizabeth I's attempt to find a 'Middle Way' (Via Media) to stabilize a country torn apart by the radical changes of her predecessors. This topic covers the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity, which established the Church of England as a Protestant church that retained some traditional Catholic elements to avoid civil war.

For GCSE History, students must analyze the 'balancing act' Elizabeth performed. They look at the challenges from 'Puritans' (who felt the settlement didn't go far enough) and 'Recusants' (Catholics who refused to attend). This topic is best taught through 'sorting' activities where students categorize features of the new church as 'Catholic' or 'Protestant' and 'role plays' of a village church service in 1560.

Key Questions

1. Explain how Elizabeth I attempted to create a 'middle way' to satisfy both Protestants and Catholics in 1559.
2. Analyze the key features of the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity.
3. Evaluate the extent to which the Religious Settlement successfully achieved religious peace.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the key provisions of the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity in 1559.
• Explain the concept of the 'Middle Way' (Via Media) as Elizabeth I's approach to religious policy.
• Evaluate the successes and limitations of Elizabeth's Religious Settlement in achieving religious stability.
• Compare the demands of Puritan reformers and Catholic Recusants regarding religious practice in early Elizabethan England.

Before You Start

The English Reformation under Henry VIII

Why: Students need to understand the initial break from Rome and the establishment of the Church of England to grasp the context of subsequent religious changes.

The Reign of Mary I (1553-1558)

Why: Knowledge of Mary's Catholic restoration and the persecution of Protestants is essential for understanding the desire for stability under Elizabeth.

Key Vocabulary

Via Media	Latin for 'Middle Way', referring to Elizabeth I's policy of seeking a moderate religious settlement that incorporated elements acceptable to both Protestants and Catholics.
Act of Supremacy	Legislation passed in 1559 that re-established the monarch as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, replacing the Pope's authority.
Act of Uniformity	Legislation passed in 1559 that set out the rules for church services, including the use of a revised Book of Common Prayer, aiming for consistency across the country.
Recusant	A person who refused to attend Church of England services, typically referring to English Catholics who remained loyal to the Pope.
Puritan	A member of a group of English Protestants who, in the 16th and 17th centuries, advocated for a simpler form of worship and church structure, believing the Church of England retained too many Catholic traditions.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Elizabeth was a devout, radical Protestant.

What to Teach Instead

Elizabeth was a pragmatist. She personally liked some Catholic traditions (like candles and choir music) and her main goal was political stability, not religious purity. A 'personal vs. political' Venn diagram helps students see her nuanced position.

Common Misconception

The Religious Settlement ended all religious conflict in England.

What to Teach Instead

It was only the *beginning* of a long struggle. Puritans continued to push for more reform, and Catholic plots against her life increased over time. A 'threat timeline' helps students see how the challenges evolved throughout her reign.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The 'Middle Way' Sort

Students are given cards describing features of the Elizabethan Church (e.g., the Queen as 'Supreme Governor', priests wearing vestments, the Bible in English). They must sort these into 'Appeals to Protestants', 'Appeals to Catholics', or 'Both', identifying how Elizabeth tried to please everyone.

25 min·Small Groups

Role Play: The Parish Visit

Students act as Elizabeth's 'commissioners' visiting a local church. They must interview a 'Puritan' who wants to remove the altar and a 'Catholic' who wants to keep the Latin mass. They must explain the new rules and the 'Recusancy fines' for non-compliance.

35 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: The 'Supreme Governor' Title

Students discuss in pairs why Elizabeth chose the title 'Supreme Governor' instead of 'Supreme Head' (which her father, Henry VIII, had used). They then share their thoughts on how this subtle change helped soothe Catholic and male-centric anxieties.

15 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Historians specializing in Tudor England, such as those at the National Archives, analyze primary source documents like parliamentary records and church visitation reports to understand the impact of the Religious Settlement.
• Museum curators at the V&A or the British Museum might interpret artifacts from the period, such as church vestments or prayer books, to illustrate the religious tensions and compromises of Elizabethan times.
• Contemporary discussions about national identity and religious tolerance often draw parallels to historical attempts to create unified societies, echoing the challenges Elizabeth faced in 1559.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with three statements about the Religious Settlement. Ask them to write 'Agree' or 'Disagree' and provide one piece of evidence from the lesson to support their choice for each statement. For example: 'The Act of Uniformity was primarily designed to please Catholics.'

Quick Check

Display a Venn diagram with 'Catholic elements' on one side and 'Protestant elements' on the other. Ask students to call out features of the 1559 Settlement and the teacher can place them in the correct section, facilitating a class discussion on the 'Middle Way'.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are a village priest in 1560. What specific challenges might you face in implementing the new Book of Common Prayer, considering the views of your parishioners?' Encourage students to consider both Puritan and Catholic leanings within a community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Act of Uniformity?

Passed in 1559, it dictated that all churches had to use the same Book of Common Prayer and that services must be in English. It also required everyone to attend church on Sundays or pay a 'recusancy fine' of one shilling, a significant amount for a poor person but manageable for the wealthy.

Why did Puritans oppose the Religious Settlement?

Puritans were 'extreme' Protestants who wanted to 'purify' the church of all Catholic 'superstitions.' They objected to priests wearing ornate vestments, the sign of the cross in baptism, and the existence of bishops. They felt Elizabeth's 'Middle Way' was a half-measure that kept too much 'popery'.

How did the Pope respond to Elizabeth's settlement?

Initially, the Pope hoped Elizabeth would return to the Catholic fold. However, in 1570, he finally excommunicated her (the Papal Bull 'Regnans in Excelsis'). This officially 'freed' English Catholics from their duty to obey her and encouraged plots to replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots.

How can active learning help students understand the Religious Settlement?

Active learning, such as a 'sorting' activity, helps students visualize the 'compromise' nature of the settlement. By physically moving pieces of the church (like the altar or the prayer book) between 'Protestant' and 'Catholic' categories, they understand the strategic genius of Elizabeth's 'Middle Way.' This peer-based exploration makes the complex theological differences feel like a practical political puzzle that Elizabeth had to solve.