Royal Injunctions and Reception of the Settlement

The Royal Injunctions of 1559, issued by William Cecil, provided detailed instructions to enforce the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity. These injunctions:

• Banned Catholic practices such as processions and pilgrimages
• Allowed images in churches
• Required each parish to possess an English Bible
• Mandated distinctive clerical dress for clergy

The reception of the Religious Settlement varied among different religious groups:

Catholics:

• Appreciated the title "Supreme Governor" instead of "Supreme Head"
• Welcomed the allowance of images in churches

Protestants:

• Supported the use of English in church services
• Approved of the requirement for church attendance

Puritans:

• Appreciated the use of English in services and the Bible
• Disliked the allowance of church decorations and distinctive clerical dress

Example: The wording of the communion service was deliberately unclear, allowing for both Catholic and Protestant interpretations to appease both factions.

Impact of the Religious Settlement

The Religious Settlement had varying impacts on different groups within English society:

The Clergy:

• Most parish priests (8,000) took the oath of supremacy
• Only 250 priests lost their jobs for refusing the oath
• Only 1 bishop took the oath, while 27 others stepped down

The People:

• The majority accepted the settlement and attended services
• Catholic areas were slower to accept the changes
• Few people were punished for non-compliance

Highlight: The vague wording of the prayer book allowed for broad acceptance among the population.

Key Areas of the Settlement

1. Head of Church and Bishops:

   • Elizabeth became Supreme Governor
   • Bishops were appointed to run the church

2. Church Decoration and Music:

   • Ornaments and decorations were allowed
   • Singing of hymns continued

3. Bible and Church Services:

   • Services were conducted in English
   • The Bible was available in English

4. Clergy:

   • Required to wear distinctive clerical dress (vestments)

Quote: "Elizabeth given title of 'Supreme Governor' of Church of England, rather than 'Supreme Head'"

This compromise approach aimed to create a unified national church that could accommodate both Catholic and Protestant elements, ultimately contributing to the stability of Elizabethan England.

Church of England's Role

The established Church served multiple functions in Elizabethan society:

Definition: The Church of England acted as both a religious institution and an instrument of state control.

Key responsibilities included:

• Controlling religious messaging through licensed preaching
• Providing community guidance and support
• Enforcing religious compliance
• Legitimizing monarchical authority