Monarchs, Religion and Crime

Kings and Queens: Religion and Crime (1509-1625)

Henry VIII (Catholic)

Ruled: 1509-47

Religious Changes: 1534 - following his arguments about his divorce and marriage with Catholic Church, Henry declared himself head of the Church in England. He closed down monasteries, seizing their wealth and land.

Crime and Religion: Catholics and Protestants were punished during Henry's reign. Protestants were executed for crimes of heresy. Meanwhile, Catholics were charged with treason for not taking the Oath of Supremacy (acknowledging Henry as the head of the church in England).

Edward VI (Protestant)

Ruled: 1547-53

Religious Changes: Edward was raised in the Protestant faith. Upon inauguration, he introduced a prayer book in English, allowed priests to get married and simplified church interiors.

Crime and Religion: A few Catholic bishops were imprisoned. While two people were executed for crimes of heresy.

Mary I (Catholic)

Ruled; 1553-58

Religious Changes: Mary was a strict Catholic. Her aim was to restore the Catholic Church in England and establish the Pope as the head of the English Church once again.

Crime and Religion: Around 300 people were executed under the reign of Mary for crimes of heresy (they refused to follow the Catholic faith). Further, 800 wealthy Protestants chose to exile themselves

James I (Protestant)

Ruled: 1603-25

Religious Changes: Even though James was a Protestant, he was reasonably tolerant towards Catholics. Although, the Gunpowder Plot (1605) changed his opinion.

Crime and Religion: James brought in strict anti-Catholic laws.

> 1605 Popish Recusants Act demanded Catholics swear authority to the King and pay heavy fines for not going to church.

Elizabeth I (Protestant)

Ruled: 1558-1603

Religious Changes: Tried to establish a middle path in religion in England. She wanted a Protestant Church that would appear less challenging to Catholic tradition.

Crime and Religion: Elizabeth in 1559, passed a number of laws about religion -

> Act of Uniformity - everyone had to go to church on Sundays and hold days, otherwise pay a fine. Those who refused were called 'recusants'. Prosecuted after refusing to attend church several times.

> Act of Supremacy: reintroduction of the Oath of Supremacy. Catholics were committing a crime by not swearing it.

> Harsh heresy laws from Mary I's rule were repealed. Further, a Catholic rebellion in the north of England occurred in 1569. Then, in 1570, Elizabeth was excommunicated by the Pope.