Popular Beliefs and Religion In Tudor-Stuart Society

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POPULAR BELIEFS AND RELIGION IN TUDOR-STUART SOCIETY

Describe the way in which the Church and popular religion affected the lives of ordinary people from 1558-1667. Why, and how successful, did the established  Church try to change the beliefs and customs of its parishioners?

In the days Tudor-Stuart society were many changes in state religion by different ruling monarchs that affected the lives of ordinary people. This was especially during the period of 1558-1667, where immense confusion arose by the nation people over what religion to practice.   During this time, there was further confusion, not only religious, but also confusion of not being able to explain the unexplainable. This resulted in superstition, which was popular during this period, as a way for the people to explain the things that could not be explained. With the increasing amount of superstition, and other popular beliefs, it led to an increase in insecurity leading to the accusations of witches.

The established Church had many affects on the lives of ordinary people. The Church acted as a tax collector and a charity having a financial affect on the people. It controlled occupation groups, such as teachers, midwives and teachers, hence the Church controlled people in these professions. The Church had control on people attending Universities, promoting theology as most important subject. Basically, they were promoting religion and importantly getting people to follow the Church. Any disputes over marriage, wills, or other matters people had to go through the Church to sort it. Overall, the established Church had power and control of people in this society. The Church was a subject of authority. Ordinary people depended upon the Church for their uncertainties in hope that the Church would help them, and their souls in heaven. Therefore people obeyed and followed the rules of their Church for assurance.

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Great confusion arose during the time period of 1558-1667. It seemed with every new ruler of England bought a new religion with them. This was evident after ‘Bloody Mary’s reign being over and her Protestant sister Elizabeth succeeded her. The nation people had to endure constant changes in religion and they themselves had to worship the same way their King or Queen did. Strong devout followers of the monarch may have changed their religion several times through their life to match their ruler. In most cases, this was not evident, those devout to their Catholic or Protestant religion would ...

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