James I religion

Question 1

Catholic issues

Answer 1

• James categorises Catholics as “quiet” and “fractious”
• 1604: encourages legislation against Jesuit priests (performed Catholic conversions)
• 1605: Gunpowder plot raises fears of Catholicism
  1606: Oath of Allegiance forces Catholics to pledge allegiance to King, not Pope

Question 2

Gunpowder Plot 1605

Answer 2

• James tightened enforcement of laws on Catholics
• plot led by Fawkes and Catesby
• failed as Monteagle, Catholic peer, tipped it off
• public outrage was immense, anti-Catholic sermons and celebrations to the failure of the plot

Question 3

Puritan issues

Answer 3

• 1603 Millenary Petition: request for puritan changes in CoE signed by 1,000 puritans; James welcomes this and hears it
• 1604 Hampton Court Conference: puritans voice their requests, a misunderstanding causes James to become wary of puritans
• 1604 Bancroft’s canons: response to Hampton Court conference, required all clergy to swear to them and ceased the demand for change (80 clergy declined and were expelled)
• 1611 George Abbot made ArchB. of Canterbury- sympathetic to Puritans

Question 4

Parliamentary intolerance vs James’ tolerance

Answer 4

• James did not want to antagonise Catholic subjects too much; only 25 recusants killed 1603-1625, compared to 189 in 1570-1603
• 1610 petition of Religion by Parliament demanded tougher enforcement on laws against Catholics- did not pass
• James sought a Spanish alliance, showing willingness to relax laws

Question 5

Montagu

Answer 5

• his book “A new Gagg for an Old Goose” caused outrage during James’ last Parliament (minimised differences between CoE and Rome’s)
• followed onto Charles’ reign