How far is it true to say that the Elizabethan Church settlement was 'little concerned with religion and much more concerned with political stability?

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Mark Rigby

EI-How far is it true to say that the Elizabethan Church settlement was ‘little concerned with religion and much more concerned with political stability?

Introduction:

        I think this is a valid judgement as Elizabeth’s fundamental policy at the beginning of her reign was to consolidate the stability of her throne. Therefore religion was used politically by Elizabeth to gain a religious conformity between the two main religions in England so to keep the peace.

Main Content:

  • Elizabeth desired uniformity among clergymen not a set of their own religious beliefs that needed to be identical to Elizabeth’s. This shows that loyalty was the overriding factor from her religious subjects not the correct set of beliefs, in the interests of her stability on her throne.  
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  • Elizabeth’s first choice in Bishops were the Marian Bishops as they had already shown their loyalty to the monarchy despite their extreme Catholic beliefs.

  • Political advantages were also gained by Elizabeth from the religious settlement, that supports the argument. However these economic gains were only contributory factors compared with the political stability of Elizabeth. More importantly was the conformity of those subscribing to the religious settlement imposed by Elizabeth.
  • The Act of exchange gave Elizabeth the option to exchange crown lands with Church lands which would have resulted in a large profit for Elizabeth, however she was forced to ...

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