Elizabeth, Mary and the politics of religion in the British Isles 1558-1603

1. Elizabeth, Mary and the politics of religion in the British Isles 1558-1603

2. Political and religious tensions in the British Isles 1558-1603 1) Traditional Anglo-Scottish rivalry – each monarch seeking to control the other’s kingdom. 2) Religious division in each kingdom – radical Reformation/Counter-Reformation ideas suggest loyalty to true religion more important than loyalty to monarchs. - John Knox – debates whether ‘obedience is to be rendered to a magistrate who enforces idolatry and condemns true religion’? 3) Changes in international relations - emergence of Spain as global Catholic power.

3. Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

4. Elizabeth’s religious policy • Polarisation in 1558 between Catholic bishops and privy councillors, and returning Protestant exiles who want radical religious change. • Elizabeth aims to construct Church that is theologically Protestant but retains hierarchy of bishops and some elements of Catholic ceremony. • Key legislation - Act of Uniformity (1559), 39 Articles (1563). • Elizabethan Church seen by some admirers as via media between religious extremes.

5. The Catholic threat to Elizabeth • 1569 – rising of the Northern Earls: reflects antagonism of key aristocratic dynasties (Nevilles and Percys). • 1571-2 – Ridolfi Plot • 1584 – Throckmorton Plot • 1586 – Babington Plot • Catholic threat in Scotland through French influence (Regent Mary of Guise). • Threat in Ireland – dispossessed Catholic aristocrats (esp. Fitzgerald earls) gain support of Papacy.

6. Pope Pius V (1504-1572)

7. Mary Stuart (1542-1587)

8. Challenges to Mary • Protestant rebel Lords of the Congregation prepared to resort to English arms to prevent growth of French Catholic influence 1558-1560. • Key Protestant voices include her half-brother James Stuart, earl of Moray and Calvinist preacher John Knox. • Mary remains Catholic, but like Elizabeth, aims for moderate religious policy – accepts power of Scottish Protestants. • Potential for instability in British Isles when Mary represented by some of her supporters as Catholic alternative to Elizabeth.

9. Mary’s threat to Elizabeth • Paradox that Mary’s threat increases as power falls in Scotland. • Elizabeth has no husband and therefore no heir. • Mary has potential to attract English and international Catholic support. • Mary therefore a great danger to Elizabeth when she is moved into England (1567).

10. Philip II (1527-1598) - presides over growth in Spanish power and global ambition

11. Anglo-Spanish conflict – heightens Catholic peril in the British Isles • Spanish support for Mary Stuart and the house of Guise sparks Throckmorton and Babington Plots (1584, 1586). • Execution of Mary Stuart brings open conflict between Elizabeth and Philip. • Spanish and papal support of Tyrone’s Rebellion against Elizabeth in Ireland (1594-1603).

12. Elizabeth I, ‘Rainbow Portrait’, attributed to Isaac Oliver, 1600

13. Common Protestant anxieties have created hopes for Anglo-Scottish convergence - James Henrisoun, Exhortacion to the Scottes to Conforme themselves to the Honorable, Expedient & Godly Union between the Realmes of England and Scotland (1547) - Anthony Gilby, Admonition to England and Scotland (1558) :‘Give eare... O Britaine (for of that name both rejoseth), whiles the Lord calleth, exhorteth, an admonisheth, that is the tyme when he will be founde...’