Protestant and Catholic Conflict in the Elizabethan Era

2446 Words5 Pages

Throughout history, religious conflicts have led to war, turmoil, and devastation. From the very beginning of humanity, religion has played an active role alongside man. As religion began to establish various denominations, people started to question the superiority of one religion over another. The dominate religion in many countries reflected the religious views of the king or queen with little choice for the people to determine their own faith. Individuals wanting religious tolerance that was different from the national religion began to cause tension within the country. One of the major religious conflicts between the Protestant and Catholics divided nations through Europe. As the Protestant Reformation spread to England, the tensions between the Protestants and Catholics quickly escalated all over the country. For England, the constant change of rulers altered the nation’s religion from Protestantism to Catholicism. Many people felt conflicted over which religion to practice with the fear of persecution by the crown. However, within these times of turmoil, the Elizabethan era gave rise to radical ideals, influential people, and great works in the arts, as well as advancements in science. The people of England formed a country filled with the brightest political, cultural, and academic minds in history. The Protestant and Catholic conflict during the Elizabethan era boasted numerous accomplishments in the fields of history, art, philosophy, sconce, and literature with a major contribution to humankind. The decades long battle between the Protestants and Catholics began when the Protestant ruler, Elizabeth I became the Queen of England after her Catholic half-sister, Mary I died. Before Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, Mary’s suppo... ... middle of paper ... ...lish radical theories in explaining the natural occurrences of the world. As England grew to become a major global power, the country was able to defend its land while keeping trade with other countries. After the threat of Catholics rebelling, Elizabeth stopped their persecution in England and allowing them to retain some religious practices. Despite the continual conflict between the two religions, at the end of the Elizabethan era, England became unified as a Protestant country with little rebellion against this religion. The Protestant and Catholic conflict during the Elizabethans era divided the nation’s people. England’s history behind the change in rulers caused the nation’s dominate religion to be constantly changed. As the Elizabethan era began, the Protestants were recovering from constant persecution The confusion and conflict over the religions inspired

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