Stuart monarchy

The accession of James I

Elizabeth I reigned until 1603, when she was succeeded by her Protestant relative, King James VI of Scotland, a member of the Stuart family.

Although his mother, Mary Queen of Scots had been a Catholic, James was brought up as a Protestant after she was arrested and forced to abdicate in favour of her baby son. Meanwhile Mary, under house arrest in England, was implicated in Catholic plots against Elizabeth, who eventually signed the order for Mary’s execution in 1587. Her son James now became a clear candidate to be heir to the throne of England when Elizabeth died – which is exactly what happened in 1603, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England as well.

Jacobean society

A changed perspective

Elizabeth was a Tudor. Her Scottish cousin, James, was a Stuart and came from a very different background. Scotland was considerably more feudal, with more power centred on the sovereign. It was also much less ostentatious and less advanced in the arts, though certainly as well advanced in various branches of learning, including science, theology and philosophy. In fact, education was taken far more seriously there by the whole population.

A change in mood

The atmosphere at court changed markedly, as did the mood of the country. Old favourites were demoted. In 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh, a one-time favourite of Elizabeth’s, was executed on something of a trumped-up charge. People began to emigrate, especially the Puritans to New England, and others to Virginia. The philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, a mid-century philosopher, was highly pessimistic: life was ‘nasty, brutish and short’.

The advance of science

On the other hand, English learning began to take science seriously. Francis Bacon's ground-breaking works on the scientific method were widely read and he eventually became Lord Chancellor. Mathematics was an important part of the study of Cambridge undergraduates. Out of this, the Royal Society for the Advancement of Science emerged after the Civil War, led by such famous scientists as Sir Isaac Newton.

Law and punishment

In James' England, the King was, in theory, not in absolute control, as he had judges and magistrates to apply his laws. However, James believed strongly in his ‘divine right’ as a ruler (see also Religious/philosophical context: Divine right of kings) and that his will should be seen as supreme.

Laws were harsh. The death penalty could be applied for what would today be regarded as minor offences, and public whippings and hangings were common. Miscreants could also be branded, have their ears cut off, or be set in the stocks or pillory. James I himself believed in witchcraft, and under his rule many so-called witches were executed by hanging or burning.

The legal system in England at the time was one of local constables and assize courts. Penalties for breaking the law could involve whipping, imprisonment and beheading.

Marriage laws and customs

Although the Church expected people to marry using a religious service, and the Book of Common Prayer set out a service of Holy Matrimony (marriage), there were also other forms of betrothal recognised by English common law.

‘Sponsalia per verbi de praesenti’ literally meant ‘espousal (i.e., marriage) by the word given at the present time’. Those who made this promise to each other were regarded as legally married, whether or not they then went through the consecration of a church marriage.

‘Sponsalia per verba de futuro’, was an agreement to marry in the future. This agreement could be put aside if certain conditions, such as an agreed dowry, were not fulfilled, however those who entered into a ‘de futuro’ agreement could not break it if their relationship was physically consummated.

Religious initiatives

Elizabeth I had seen the need to keep a middle way or via media, as it was called:

She didn't care for the Puritans
She was afraid of the Catholics, because she saw them as plotting with England's great enemy, Spain, to overthrow her
She didn't like other smaller Protestant groups. They were allowed to exist but their members could not hold public office or to get a university degree.

James I wished to unite the Church of England and the Reformed (or Presbyterian) Church of Scotland. There was also still religious turmoil between Protestants and Catholics:

Having been brought up as a Protestant, and as a strong opponent of his mother’s Catholicism, James faced opposition in England from the Catholic families who resented another Protestant ruler
In 1605, a group of conspirators placed barrels of gunpowder under the House of Parliament, hoping to blow up the King and his senior ministers
However, the plot (still known today as the Gunpowder Plot) was discovered and the conspirators arrested and executed. One of them, Guy Fawkes, gives his name to the ‘guy’ still burnt on bonfires in England on Guy Fawkes’ Night every year – November 5th.

Charles I, James' son, married a Catholic, so when he became king, he was prepared to allow Catholics some leeway. He also tried to encourage the Church of England to become more Catholic in its liturgy. His agent for doing this was Archbishop Laud. Unfortunately, the Puritans had had high hopes under James and they bitterly resented this move away from more Protestant models.

War and after

Eventually, the English Civil War broke out, which resulted in a Commonwealth being established under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was an Independent, which meant:

He belonged to the small group of Protestants outside the Church of England
He didn't believe in a state church at all, which in those days was quite revolutionary
He didn’t believe in bishops.

During the decade of the Commonwealth period, the 1650s, people were allowed to worship in greater freedom (except for the Catholics). A number of new, and sometimes quite unorthodox, churches were set up, including the Quakers, a group who were often harassed.

Under the later Stuart kings

When the Stuarts were restored to the throne, the Church of England reasserted itself. The smaller Protestant groups were heavily controlled and their ministers or clergy often lost their jobs. One of these was a Baptist preacher called John Bunyan. When thrown into prison, he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, one of the most famous Christian works of fiction ever written.

Greater tolerance

When William and Mary came to the throne, toleration was extended to everyone to worship as they wanted. However, it was not until 150 years later that it became possible for non-Anglicans to hold public office or get a degree from an English university.

Christians whose faith and practice stems from the Reformation movement in the sixteenth century which resulted in new churches being created as an alternative to the Roman Catholic Church.

1. Sometimes used to denote all Christians 2. Used specifically of the Roman Catholic church.

Originally, a sixteenth and early seventeenth century Protestant, usually a Calvinist, who wished to reform the Church of England of all its Catholic characteristics.

A civil war is a war within a specific country or territory between forces from within the country. Famous civil wars include the English Civil War and the American Civil War (1860-65).

The belief that the authority of a king / monarch comes directly from God, taken by some kings to mean that they were above the law of the land and to disobey them was to disobey God / sin.

A person who behaves badly, disobeying rules or breaking the law.

The use of natural and / or supernatural powers to coerce or harm others. In the Bible witchcraft is condemned as an evil practice.

1. Term for a worshipping community of Christians. 2. The building in which Christians traditionally meet for worship. 3. The worldwide community of Christian believers.

1. Devout, involved in religious practice 2. Member of a religious order, a monk or nun.

1. An act of duty and devotion. 2. By extension, a religious ceremony offering obedience and worship to God.

The book of prayers and church services first put together by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of King Edward VI (1547-53) for common (ie. general) use in English churches.

In the Bible the promise, or contract, between a man and a woman committing them to a life together, is also used as an image of the relationship between God and his people. .

To consecrate is to set something / someone apart for for the service of God

an amount of money or goods given as part of a marriage contract

Member of the Presbyterian Church, a worldwide Protestant church, which is governed not by bishops but by minsters and lay elders.

The 'Established' or state church of England, the result of a break with the Catholic church under Henry VIII and further developments in the reign of Elizabeth I.

A set form of a worship service in church, usually written down. This includes set prayers and Bible readings for certain weeks of the year.

The title given to the bishop who oversees the other bishops within his province.

In certain Christian denominations leader of the Christian community within a geographical area.

Name given to members of the 'Society of Friends', founded in the seventeenth century by George Fox. Quakers usually avoid set forms of worship, leaving individuals free to contribute as they wish.

Middle French menestre, ministre 'servant'. Someone who serves God and other people; used of those who hold office and lead worship in the Christian Church.

The collective term for priests and ministers of the church (as opposed to the non-ordained laity).

One of the largest Protestant churches. Stresses the importance of only baptising (usually by immersion) people who are old enough to make a personal profession of faith based on accepting the forgiveness offered by God through Jesus Christ.

Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.

The Anglican church is the 'Established' or state church of England, the result of a break with the Catholic church under Henry VIII and further developments in the reign of Elizabeth I.