Elizabeth I: The Early Years and the Via Media · Summer Term

The Accession and the Religious Settlement

The 1559 Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity and the creation of the 'Middle Way'.

About This Topic

The accession of Elizabeth I in 1558 was a moment of profound uncertainty. Facing a divided nation and a hostile Catholic Europe, Elizabeth's first priority was to establish a stable religious settlement. This topic examines the 1559 Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity, which created the 'Via Media' (Middle Way), a church that was Protestant in doctrine but retained many traditional Catholic structures and rituals. Students analyze how Elizabeth balanced the demands of 'radical' Protestants with the need to avoid a Catholic rebellion.

For Year 12 students, this is a study in 'political pragmatism' and the birth of the modern Church of England. It connects to themes of religious identity and the 'Elizabethan Settlement'. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of 'compromise', analyzing the specific wording of the 1559 Prayer Book to see how it was designed to be 'all things to all people'.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the key provisions of the 1559 Act of Supremacy and the 1559 Act of Uniformity.
• Explain the motivations behind the creation of the 'Via Media' or 'Middle Way' in religious doctrine and practice.
• Evaluate the extent to which Elizabeth I's personal religious views influenced the religious settlement.
• Compare the demands of Puritan reformers with the compromises offered in the Elizabethan Settlement.
• Critique the effectiveness of the 1559 Religious Settlement in achieving national religious stability.

Before You Start

The English Reformation under Henry VIII

Why: Students need to understand the initial break with Rome and the establishment of royal supremacy to grasp the context of Elizabeth's subsequent religious policies.

The Reigns of Edward VI and Mary I

Why: Knowledge of the religious shifts during these reigns, from Protestantism to Catholicism and back, is essential for understanding the divided nation Elizabeth inherited.

Key Vocabulary

Act of Supremacy (1559)	Legislation that re-established the monarch as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, defining the relationship between the Crown and the Church.
Act of Uniformity (1559)	Legislation that mandated a revised Book of Common Prayer and established the structure and worship of the Church of England, aiming for consistency.
Via Media	Latin for 'Middle Way,' referring to the Elizabethan Religious Settlement's attempt to find a moderate path between Catholic tradition and radical Protestantism.
Puritan Choir	A term used to describe the more zealous Protestant members of Parliament who advocated for further reforms and a more Calvinist doctrine within the Church of England.
Book of Common Prayer (1559)	The official liturgical book of the Church of England, revised under Elizabeth I to incorporate elements acceptable to both moderate Protestants and Catholics.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The 1559 Settlement Audit

In small groups, students analyze the clauses of the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. They must identify the 'Protestant' elements (e.g., the English Bible) and the 'Catholic' elements (e.g., the structure of bishops) and discuss why Elizabeth chose this 'mix'.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: The Parliamentary Battle of 1559

Students role-play the debates in the House of Lords and the House of Commons. They must represent the 'Puritan Choir' who want a more radical reform and the 'Catholic Bishops' who want to keep the old ways, while Elizabeth's ministers try to push through a compromise.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: A Permanent Solution?

Students analyze Elizabeth's famous quote that she did not want to 'make windows into men's souls'. They discuss in pairs whether the 1559 Settlement was intended to be a 'permanent' solution or just a 'temporary fix' to keep the peace.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Modern parliamentary debates over religious freedom and the role of established churches in countries like the United Kingdom or Canada echo the compromises Elizabeth I navigated.

The ongoing discussions within denominations about adapting traditional practices to contemporary societal values, such as those seen in the Church of England's General Synod, reflect the challenges of maintaining unity through compromise, similar to the 1559 Settlement.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Elizabeth I was a 'radical' Protestant who hated Catholicism.

What to Teach Instead

Elizabeth actually liked many aspects of the old religion, such as church music, vestments, and the use of a crucifix. Active analysis of her 'personal chapel' helps students see that her religious policy was driven by a desire for 'order' and 'tradition' as much as by Protestant theology.

Common Misconception

The 1559 Settlement was accepted by everyone immediately.

What to Teach Instead

It was actually very unpopular with many people; all but one of the Catholic bishops refused to take the Oath of Supremacy and had to be replaced. Peer discussion of the 'Recusancy' problem helps students see the ongoing resistance to the new church.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with two short primary source quotes, one from a conservative Catholic and one from a radical Puritan, reacting to the 1559 Settlement. Ask them to write one sentence explaining how each quote demonstrates opposition to the 'Middle Way'.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was the 1559 Religious Settlement a triumph of political skill or a temporary measure destined for future conflict?' Facilitate a class debate, asking students to cite specific evidence from the Acts and contemporary reactions to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Present students with a list of key features of the 1559 Settlement (e.g., monarch as Supreme Governor, use of Book of Common Prayer, vestments required). Ask them to categorize each feature as primarily Catholic-leaning, Protestant-leaning, or deliberately ambiguous, explaining their reasoning for each.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Via Media'?

The 'Via Media' (Middle Way) was Elizabeth's attempt to find a religious compromise. The Church of England was Protestant in its official beliefs (denying the Pope and the Real Presence), but it kept the 'outward' appearance of the Catholic Church, with bishops, traditional vestments, and a formal liturgy, to make it more acceptable to the conservative majority of the population.

How did the 1559 Act of Supremacy differ from her father's?

Elizabeth changed the title from 'Supreme Head' to 'Supreme Governor' of the Church. This was a clever move to satisfy those who believed that a woman could not be the 'head' of a church, and to appease Catholics who believed that only the Pope could hold that title, while still giving her full legal control over religious matters.

Who were the 'Puritan Choir'?

The 'Puritan Choir' was a group of radical Protestant MPs who pushed Elizabeth to make the 1559 Settlement more extreme. They wanted to remove all 'popish' elements from the church and they often used their influence in Parliament to challenge the Queen's authority, showing that Elizabeth faced opposition from both the 'left' and the 'right'.

How can active learning help students understand the Elizabethan Settlement?

The Settlement is often taught as a dry list of acts. Active learning strategies, like the 'Parliamentary Battle' simulation, help students understand the 'political pressure' Elizabeth was under. By taking on the roles of the different factions, students realize that the Settlement wasn't just a 'theological choice', but was a desperate and brilliant piece of political engineering designed to prevent a civil war.