Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Conflict and dissent, 1625–88: The Catholic question: Catholic influence…
Full specification wording
Religion: conflict and dissent, 1625–88: The Catholic question: Catholic influence within Charles I’s court; the exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration; anti-Catholic sentiment, 1660–88.
Catholicism shaped politics because it was deeply feared.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Catholicism shaped politics because it was deeply feared. Charles I's court included Catholic courtiers and his queen, Henrietta Maria, whose chapel gave Catholics influence, feeding suspicion of a popish plot. During the Restoration, Parliament ensured the exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration; while Charles II and James II attempted to include them via the 1672 and 1687 Declarations of Indulgence, Parliament forced their withdrawal or resisted them. Anti-Catholic sentiment intensified between 1660 and 1688: the Test Act 1673, the Popish Plot 1678, and the Exclusion Crisis 1679–81 targeted Catholic office-holding and the succession of James, Duke of York. James II's Catholicism made his 1687 Declaration suspect, and the birth of a Catholic heir in 1688 helped trigger revolution.
What earns the marks
- Explains the nature of Catholic influence at Charles I's court, including Henrietta Maria's household and Catholic courtiers.
- Shows how Parliament ensured the exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration, resisting royal attempts at inclusion like the 1672 Declaration of Indulgence.
- Explains how the Test Act 1673 barred Catholics from public office by requiring Anglican communion, reflecting intense anti-Catholic sentiment.
- Links the Popish Plot 1678 and Exclusion Crisis 1679–81 to heightened anti-Catholic politics and the succession of James II.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming all toleration measures excluded Catholics.
Put it right: Royal Declarations of Indulgence (1672, 1687) attempted to include them, but parliamentary measures consistently excluded them.
Confusing the Test Act 1673 with the Declaration of Indulgence 1687.
Put it right: The Test Act restricted Catholic office-holding, while the Declaration suspended penal laws.
Treating anti-Catholicism as only popular prejudice.
Put it right: It also drove parliamentary and legal measures, such as the Exclusion Crisis.
Exam tips
- Use named measures and dates to show how the exclusion of Catholics from toleration operated in practice.
- Distinguish court influence from legal toleration when analysing the Catholic question, and link anti-Catholic feeling to succession politics.
Try the lesson
The start of the Religion: conflict and dissent, 1625–88: The Catholic question: Catholic influence within Charles I’s court; the exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration; anti-Catholic sentiment, 1660–88. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which queen consort of Charles I was a Catholic and maintained a visible Catholic chapel at court?
Listen
Catholicism shaped politics because it was deeply feared. Charles I's court included Catholic courtiers and his queen, Henrietta Maria, whose chapel gave Catholics influence, feeding suspicion of a popish plot. During the Restoration, Parliament ensured the exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration; while Charles II and James II attempted to include them via the 1672 and 1687 Declarations of Indulgence, Parliament forced their withdrawal or resisted them. Anti-Catholic sentiment intensified between 1660 and 1688: the Test Act 1673, the Popish Plot 1678, and the Exclusion Crisis 1679–81 targeted Catholic office-holding and the succession of James, Duke of York. James II's Catholicism made his 1687 Declaration suspect, and the birth of a Catholic heir in 1688 helped trigger revolution. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the nature of Catholic influence at Charles I's court, including Henrietta Maria's household and Catholic courtiers. Shows how Parliament ensured the exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration, resisting royal attempts at inclusion like the 1672 Declaration of Indulgence. Explains how the Test Act 1673 barred Catholics from public office by requiring Anglican communion, reflecting intense anti-Catholic sentiment. Links the Popish Plot 1678 and Exclusion Crisis 1679–81 to heightened anti-Catholic politics and the succession of James II. A common slip: Assuming all toleration measures excluded Catholics. Instead, royal Declarations of Indulgence (1672, 1687) attempted to include them, but parliamentary measures consistently excluded them. Exam tip: Use named measures and dates to show how the exclusion of Catholics from toleration operated in practice.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Popish Plot heightened anti-Catholic politics
- 2. Exclusion Crisis targeted James's succession
- 3. James II's Declaration of Indulgence made suspect by his Catholicism
- 4. Test Act barred Catholics from public office
- 5. Charles II's Declaration of Indulgence attempted to include Catholics
- 6. Birth of a Catholic heir helped trigger revolution
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Catholic court influence
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The exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Anti-Catholic sentiment and the succession
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Catholic court influence
- Charles I's court included Catholic courtiers and his queen, Henrietta Maria, whose chapel gave Catholics influence, feeding suspicion of a popish plot.
- The exclusion of Catholics from religious toleration
- During the Restoration, Parliament ensured this, while Charles II and James II attempted to include Catholics via the 1672 and 1687 Declarations of Indulgence, which Parliament forced to be withdrawn or resisted.
- Anti-Catholic sentiment and the succession
- Intensified between 1660 and 1688, as the Test Act 1673, the Popish Plot 1678 and the Exclusion Crisis 1679–81 targeted Catholic office-holding and the succession of James, Duke of York.
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