Elizabeth I's Role in the Success of the British Angelican Church

`The Elizabethan Church Settlement succeeded in the years 1559-1566 because of Elizabeth I's vital role in its development'.

Examine this view.

Elizabeth came to the throne in November 1558 and faced a hugely complex religious situation. Her country was fractured into different religious groups, Protestant and Catholic. The Protestants were then further divided into the extent to which they wished reform to be taken. The Settlement aimed to find a way to bring these different lobbies together without alienating any and settle a blanket theology for the country. It is hard to judge whether the Settlement was successful for Elizabeth. If the Queen was Catholic then it could be argued that the Settlement was in fact not a success for her and that her role was not as pivotal as is suggested in the quote because we must assume that Elizabeth would have integrated more of her own Catholic views into the Settlement had she held them. If, however, Elizabeth was Protestant then the Settlement could be argued as being a success, with the Queen playing an integral role. The Settlement, whether or not it adhered successfully to Elizabeth's personal aims, was a success for the country. It was implemented successfully and comparatively without incident. England, unlike other European countries, did not experience continuous uprising or Civil War as a result of the Reformation and the following changes. Therefore, the Religious Settlement must be seen, at least in this respect, as a successful compromise. In light of this argument, it must follow that whoever had the most influence on the formation of the Settlement and its terms must have had the `vital role' in its success. This was not the Queen.

The lack of foreign intervention ...

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... Settlement.

In conclusion, Elizabeth's role was not the only factor that ensured the success of her Settlement. The lack of foreign intervention and the fortunate situation abroad, the influences of Puritans, Catholics, Marian exiles and the Privy Council also played their parts in forming a Settlement that could accommodate the majority of religious opinion. The mentality amongst these groups once the Settlement had been introduced also ensured its success as each wished to cooperate to remain influential. In this way they could prevent opposing religious groups from changing practices to suit them. Despite these other factors aiding the Settlement's progress, Elizabeth's role must not go unappreciated; it was integral. As Queen, it was her political acuity that allowed a flexible policy to appease a potentially dangerous religious situation between these years.