Freedom of Religion
... There was never a time where the two religions would peacefully coexist before the reign of Elizabeth. When Elizabeth took control after Queen Mary in 1558, she imposed a new revolutionary concept (Lace, 57). Instead of choosing between the two religions of Catholicism and Tran 2 Protestantism, Elizabeth chose a middle way and reached a compromise. Although she favored Protestantism, Catholic features of the Church of England were allowed (Dersin, 90). Elizabeth had a very practical, tolerant, and conservative view on religion. Her tolerance towards religion was what allowed more freedom between the two religions of Catholicism and Protestantism. Unlike previous rulers, Elizabeth’s pragmatic approach let people do as they pleased, and she took the first step towards acknowledging that people might still be good, although their ideas slightly differed from those of their neighbors (Lace, 54-57) What reinforced the concept of a middle way between the two religions was the Elizabethan Settlement. The Elizabethan Settlement allowed a higher range of beliefs and allowed the reading of the Bible (Lace, 58). Instead of choosing a specific religion, the Elizabethan Settlement was more of a compromise between Catholicism and Protestantism (Dersin, 27). The settlement was meant to unite the divided nation of England. It gave the country the most amount of unity and the greatest amount of liberty of opinion that was possible (Lace, 58). The Elizabethan Settlement handled the religion situation with great skill by favoring both Catholics and Protestants (“Elizabethan Religion”). Elizabeth was more concerned about obedience than the actual beliefs (Singman, 24). This middle way was a new radical idea for Europe, since most other countries would punish people who did not adhere to the religion of choice (Lace, 54). The two acts that Elizabeth passed that allowed more freedom of religion were the Act of Supremacy and the Act of Uniformity of 1559. These two acts, ratified together, were meant to settle religious conflicts between Catholicism and Protestantism (“Queen Elizabeth I”). Under the Act of Supremacy, Elizabeth assumed the Supreme governor of the church instead of the title of Supreme Head. This gave power to Elizabeth over the Church of England and allowed her to let people have the right to practice their own religion. The Act of Uniformity allowed more Tran 3 freedom to Catholics and Protestants, uniting the two religions (Dersin, 22). The Act of Uniformity made church services the same throughout the country, making it not too Catholic and not too Protestant (Lace, 57). It established a common prayer book and set the basic ceremonies of the church (“Elizabethan Religion”). The Act of Uniformity also restored the Protestant Prayer Book that Queen Mary I banned (“Queen Elizabeth I”). Although Elizabeth was more Protestant than Catholic, one of the ways she allowed people the liberty to follow their own religion...