The Work of Archbishop William Laud

Introduction

In this essay I will be discusses what Archbishop William Laud did wrong when trying to impose order and unity on English religion and how his efforts contributed to the civil war and the collapse of the Church of England. Harbottle Grimston referred to Laud as “the sty of all pestilential filth.” (Hirst, 167) Other historians had similar opinions of Archbishop William Laud. Robert Ashton writes “if there is the person to whose actions and policies the fall of the Stuart monarchy may be attributed, that person is William Laud.” He takes his opinion further by saying “the style of all the pestilential filth that hath infected the state and government of this church and commonwealth.”(White, 34) Archbishop William Laud went wrong in his aggressiveness and need to impose his ideas and views over the people of Britain. Laud was also known for his persecutions as well as humiliation of Puritans. His actions and influence over King Charles I would play a part in the start of the English Civil War. Archbishop Laud was adamant in getting Scotland to comply with using the English Prayer Book.

Aggressiveness

Archbishop William Laud had a significant impact on the history of Great Britain during King Charles I’s reign. Archbishop Laud had his own agenda while serving the king. Many thought Laud’s plan was where he went very wrong. One aspect of Archbishop Laud’s plan was to better establish the church and clergy of England, Laud’s downfall was his desire to promote churchmen. Laud wanted to see churchmen back in political power. To many people during this time, the promotion of churchmen seemed to contradict the triumph the Protestant community had over the clergy. This control is what the English Reformation was...

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...tury religion and politics and since his death has figured prominently in historians explanations for the breakdown of consensus and the coming of civil war.”(Mason, 1095) Archbishop made a lot of enemies and was hated by many during his time of influence. The opinions of Laud can be understood through Mr. Grymstons speech to Parliament upon the impeachment and accusation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. “Mr. Speaker, hee hath beene and is, the common Enemy to all goodnesse and good men, and it is not safe, that such a Viper should be neere his Majesties person, to distill his poison into his Sacred eares, nor is it safe for the Commonwealth, that hee should fit in so eminent a place of Government…this man is the corrupt Fountaine that hath infected all the streames, and till the fountaine be purged, wee cannot expect to have any cleere Channels.”(Grymstons, 5)