Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 2 The ‘settlement’…
Full specification wording
Option B4: Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 2 The ‘settlement’ of religion: Elizabeth’s religious settlement (1559): its features and impact.
Elizabeth's 1559 Religious Settlement aimed to establish a compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism to achieve national stability.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Elizabeth's 1559 Religious Settlement aimed to establish a compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism to achieve national stability. Its key features included the Act of Supremacy, making Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church, and the Act of Uniformity, which dictated the appearance of churches and the form of services, including the use of the Book of Common Prayer. The Royal Injunctions provided further instructions to the clergy. The impact was largely successful initially; most ordinary people and clergy accepted the changes, attending church to avoid recusancy fines. However, it faced opposition from staunch Catholics and Puritans who felt the reforms went too far or not far enough, setting the stage for future conflict.
What earns the marks
- Identify the Act of Supremacy and its role in making Elizabeth Supreme Governor.
- Explain the Act of Uniformity and how it standardised church services and appearances.
- Describe the Royal Injunctions and their enforcement of the settlement.
- Evaluate the impact of the settlement on different groups, noting the general acceptance by the majority and the specific grievances of Catholics and Puritans.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating Elizabeth became 'Head' of the Church.
Put it right: She was 'Supreme Governor' to appease those who believed only God or a man could be head.
Confusing the Act of Supremacy with the Act of Uniformity.
Put it right: Supremacy dealt with power and leadership, while Uniformity dealt with practices and services.
Claiming the settlement was a complete failure.
Put it right: It was largely successful in the short term as most people conformed outwardly.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase 'via media' or 'middle way' to describe Elizabeth's approach to the settlement.
- When discussing impact, differentiate between the reactions of the clergy (many Marian bishops were deprived of their sees for refusing the Oath of Supremacy) and the laity (most conformed).
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B4: Key topic 1: Queen, government and religion, 1558–69 - 2 The ‘settlement’ of religion: Elizabeth’s religious settlement (1559): its features and impact. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a key feature of the Act of Supremacy passed in 1559?
Listen
Elizabeth's 1559 Religious Settlement aimed to establish a compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism to achieve national stability. Its key features included the Act of Supremacy, making Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church, and the Act of Uniformity, which dictated the appearance of churches and the form of services, including the use of the Book of Common Prayer. The Royal Injunctions provided further instructions to the clergy. The impact was largely successful initially; most ordinary people and clergy accepted the changes, attending church to avoid recusancy fines. However, it faced opposition from staunch Catholics and Puritans who felt the reforms went too far or not far enough, setting the stage for future conflict. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the Act of Supremacy and its role in making Elizabeth Supreme Governor. Explain the Act of Uniformity and how it standardised church services and appearances. Describe the Royal Injunctions and their enforcement of the settlement. Evaluate the impact of the settlement on different groups, noting the general acceptance by the majority and the specific grievances of Catholics and Puritans. A common slip: Stating Elizabeth became 'Head' of the Church. Instead, She was 'Supreme Governor' to appease those who believed only God or a man could be head. Exam tip: Use the phrase 'via media' or 'middle way' to describe Elizabeth's approach to the settlement.
See it
Key words
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Religious compromise
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Act of Supremacy
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Act of Uniformity
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Royal Injunctions
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See every definition
- Religious compromise
- A settlement between Catholicism and Protestantism aimed at achieving national stability.
- Act of Supremacy
- Made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of the Church.
- Act of Uniformity
- Dictated the appearance of churches and the form of services, including the use of the Book of Common Prayer.
- Royal Injunctions
- Provided further instructions to the clergy.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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