The Elizabethan Religious Settlement

What was the significance of the new Elizabethan Protestant Church? Whose church was it?

Elizabeth had created an English Protestant Church that reflected her preferences but also was broad in scope, particularly in the wording of Communion to include conservatives and radicals.

-The political significance of the ownership of church lands was an important reason why the Protestant church had been set up so easily in 1559. The Protestant church offered landowners security, and in return they supported the royal supremacy.
-Lord Rich voted for the Royal Supremacy because it protected his lands. He voted against the Act of Uniformity because the mass protected his soul. In 1559 the majority of Englishmen were conservative in their beliefs.

Parliament's role in the creation of the new church had been important but limited. The Queen, with Cecil, had initiated the legislation and had determined the form of the church settlement, which was reflected in the changes to the 1552 Prayer Book. She had used Parliament to pass the penal clauses which enabled her to enforce religious change.