Queen Elizabeth’s Treatment of Catholics
The reformation of England had been a long drawn out affair dating back to King Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy in 1534. By the accession of Elizabeth in 1558, many historians believe that she inherited a country, which was still predominantly Catholic in belief. Although people of South Eastern England were likely to be influenced by the peoples of Europe, who were experiencing reforms, Doran (1994) suggests that the number of Protestants accounted for just 14 per cent of the population of Sussex and less than 10 per cent in Kent. Whether rural lifestyles were largely unaffected by changing religious doctrine due to a primitive communications network or general disinterest, as long as the laity were allowed to continue living as they had previously, is open for debate. However the attitudes of city dwellers in London, England’s premier city and official residence of the monarchy were quite different.
The brief rule of Queen Mary, Elizabeth’s predecessor and Catholic half sister had brought about the restoration of Catholic practices and also a regime of Protestant persecution. Public executions of branded heretics proved to have an adverse reaction as it created strong anti-Catholic sentiment and rather than to extirpate the Protestant faith, those who converted to Protestantism, if they were not exiled went underground.
Described by Briscoe (2000), Elizabeth I is considered to be one of the country’s most successful and popular monarchs. Unlike the reign of her sister Mary, which was by and large disastrous, Elizabeth made herself a powerful image of female authority ‘through the embellishment and through concrete policies that she urged her nation to follow’ (Jagger (1995)). Her policies could be attributed to the rigorous education she received as a child, which included history, languages, moral philosophy, theology and rhetoric. Her tutor Roger Ascham believed her mind to have no ‘womanly weaknesses, and her perseverance and memory to be equal to that of a man’ (Jagger (1995)). As an adult however, although very intelligent, ruthless and calculating at times, she was also renowned for her indecisive nature. This was due to the fact that ‘she sought peace above all other objects’ (Johnson (1974) p2): a trait, which many historians believe to have come from her father.
Elizabeth viewed Catholicism as ...
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Doran S. (1994), Elizabeth I and religion 1558 – 1603, p48 Routledge
Doran S. (1994), Elizabeth I and religion 1558 – 1603, p7 Routledge
Doran S. (1994), Elizabeth I and religion 1558 – 1603. Routledge
Jagger A. (1995) The life of Elizabeth I www.luminarium.org/renlit/eliza.htm
Johnson P. (1974) Elizabeth: A Study in Power and Intellect Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Johnson P. (1974) Elizabeth: A Study in Power and Intellect Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Johnson P. (1974) Elizabeth: A Study in Power and Intellect Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Queen Elizabeth I quote: Modern History Sourcebook: Queen Elizabeth I of England Selected Writing and Speeches http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/elizabeth1.html
McGrath P. 1967, Papists and Puritans under Elizabeth I, Blandford Press
McGrath P. 1967, Papists and Puritans under Elizabeth I, Blandford Press
Warren J. (1998), Elizabeth I: Religion and foreign affairs, Hodder & Stoughton
Warren J. (1998), Elizabeth I: Religion and foreign affairs, p66 Hodder & Stoughton
Warren J. (1998), Elizabeth I: Religion and foreign affairs, p69 Hodder & Stoughton
Warren J. (1998), Elizabeth I: Religion and foreign affairs. Hodder & Stoughton
Roper, H. R.. The crisis of the seventeenth century; religion, the Reformation, and social change. [1st U.S. ed. New York: Harper & Row, 19681967. Print.
People believed that Queen Elizabeth would restore the protestant faith after her sister, Mary destroyed it by persecuting all protestant people. The queen wished to follow this request, as she had grown up protestant and was raised to stay true to the lord. Although, she was dedicated to reestablishing her own beliefs, Elizabeth decided it was best to let Catholicism die out naturally rather than getting involved with the head of the church. Eventually, she succeeded, the majority of England’s population turned to Protestantism leaving very few Catholics. Despite the fact that Elizabeth wanted all of England to become followers of the protestant religion, she was extremely tolerant of all faiths and thought nobody deserved to be persecuted unless they were disturbing England’s peace. Queen Elizabeth I proclaimed the following, "There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith" she exclaimed later in her reign, "all else is a dispute over trifles." She believed that as long as her fellow citizens followed the laws of the lord, they were allowed to practice whatever belief felt right to them. Elizabeth did not want the church to become a place of violence and disagreement, instead she ensured the church was welcoming to both Catholics and Protestants. People were willing to agree with the queen’s beliefs because she recognized that she was not a perfect protestant; however, Elizabeth prayed everyday hoping she would become a better follower of God. She shared her personal experiences with others, proving to them that she too was a normal person and made mistakes often. Overall, Queen Elizabeth I shaped the face of religion for England by allowing the people to follow the faith of their choosing and reestablishing Protestant
...ide throughout history and to this day. In addition, the Elizabethan Settlement has demonstrated to the world the peace that can emerge from religious compromise and toleration between specific conflicting views. Lastly, the Privy Council, cabinet-type, advisory group that was first most prominently used by Elizabeth has been adopted by many thriving nations, such as the United States today. Ultimately, from all of these actions during her forty-six year reign, Queen Elizabeth I has truly been a molder of England, artistically, religiously, and politically.
darkness to Macbeth’s plot of killing Banquo. He is asking the night to come and hide
The vision of the dagger, the murder of Duncan, the murder of Banquo, the sleep-walking of Lady Macbeth, all come in night scenes. The Witches dance in the thick air of a storm or, 'black and midnight hags', receive Macbeth in a cavern. The blackness of night is to the hero a thing of fear, even of horror; and that which he feels becomes the spirit of the play. The faint glimmerings of the western sky at twilight are here menacing: it is the hour when the traveller hastens to reach safety in his inn, and when Banquo rides homeward t meet his assassins; the hour when 'light thickens', when 'night's black agents to their prey do rouse', when the wolf begins to howl, and the owl to scream, and withered murder steals forth to his work. (307)
[Even when her power was fading Elizabeth showed her love to her people. She gave one of her most famous speeches, Golden Speech]. In it, “Of myself I must say this, I was never greedy, scraping grasper, nor a strait, fast holding prince, nor yet a waster. My heart was never set on worldly goods but for my subjects’ good” (History.com).
Queen Elizabeth I, also known as the “Iron Queen”, was a remarkable woman of her time, she ruled with great power and longevity. She was one of the greatest feminist of time. Coming to the throne in 1558, she took the place of her father, Henry VIII. She was given one of the most difficult jobs fit for a man or King, ruling England. At the time women were second class citizens, they could not vote nor own properties and such. Surprising England with her intelligence and fierce rulings, she changed herself to make better decisions. She proved through her rulings, to everyone that females were strong and could rule just as well as a king. She refused to marry, giving a feeling of “I don’t need a man for anything.” The Queen was responsible for giving females a voice in literature and it is shown through Shakespeare’s writings.
Upon the death of her sister--in November of 1558--Elizabeth ascended to the thrown of England. Until Mary’s rule, no woman--apart from the unrecognized rule of Matilda, daughter of Henry I--had ruled England of her own right1. Much like her sister, Elizabeth began her rule widely accepted and welcomed2. There were, however, still many who felt that women were unable to rule, being that women were said to be the weaker sex. John Knox argued that, “God by the order of his creation hath spoiled women of authority and dominion, [and] also that man hath seen, proved and pronounced just causes why that it so should be.”3 Women had always been no more then property, first to their fathers and then their husbands. If a women were to be the anointed queen of a realm of her own right and then marry, whom was beholden to whom? A woman was to do as instructed by her husband in all things, yet a sovereign was to be under the command of God only.
Gender was the leading cause of distress in the 1500’s: King Henry VIII wanted nothing more than to have a son, yet was “cursed” with the legacy of a sickly son, whom died before the age of 18 and two daughters, one of whom broke every convention of her gender. Queen Elizabeth I never married nor had children, yet can be considered one of England’s most successful monarchs. By choosing King James VI of Scotland as her heir, unbeknownst to her, she created the line that leads to the modern Queen of England, Elizabeth II. The question posed is then, how did Elizabeth I’s gender affect her rule?
Darkness is often used at times in the play when a tragic event has occurred. The morning after Macbeth killed Duncan remained in darkness, because the sun did not rise. "Is ‘t the night’s predominance or the day’s shame that darkness does the face of the earth entomb when living light should kiss it?" (2:4, 10-12) Ross said these words referring to the unusual darkness of the day. He wondered if the night had become stronger than the day, and overcome it, so that the sun could no longer shine. He mused that it seemed as though the earth was shrouded with the darkness, when the light of the sun that brings life should have ensconced it. In this quote, darkness symbolizes death and light symbolizes life. It suggests that the whole country is as good as dead since their king has been killed, because the natural order has been disturbed. The disturbance to the natural order caused all of nature is disturbed, d...
God and the devil have a strong presence in “Macbeth”. The characters look to heaven and hell as places they have to try and strive towards or steer away from. God and the devil seem to be the driving and obvious force behind the happenings of the tragedy. They mold the characters into what they are. Even when things do not end up in their favor. The witches have an impact on the whole theme of the play. They are the ones who start to label Macbeth with titles, which he does not yet posses. The witches predict the future, which is to Macbeth’s liking. “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth, that’s shalt be king hereafter!”(1.3.46-48). Macbeth at this time was only the Thane of Glamis and he knew he had aspirations of becoming king, but wanted to know how these witches would know to say such things. “…tell me more…But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives, a prosperous gentleman, and to be king stands not within the prospect of belief.” (1.3.68-73) The witches at this point fade out and leave Banquo and Macbeth to speculate. Ross and Angus enter and tell Macbeth that that the Thane of Cawdor is going to be executed and that Macbeth will take on the title. In Macbeth’s mind this means that he is going to be king. Since the witches were able to predict that he was going to be Thane of Cawdor then he believes he is definitely going to be king. “What can the devil speak true?”(1.3.107) This is Banquo’s reaction after Ross “hails” Macbeth with his new title, Thane of Cawdor. Banquo starts to wonder if what the witches proclaimed, would actually come true. If what they said did come true for him it would mean his children would be kings. This quote is sort of strange to me. I am taking it as he refers to the witches as the devil. I don’t know how he came to this conclusion; maybe it is just how he is trained to think towards anyone that can see the future. The witches planted this thought into Macbeth’s head about being king. Since the Cawdor topic came true with ease he believes that him becoming king will also be an easy transition.
She was one of the most important people in England. Elizabeth was well liked and respected by her subjects. The young queen was wise beyond her years and knew how to compromise with her people. She referred to herself as “Supreme Governor” over spiritual matter rather than “Supreme Head” of the church. This minor change between Elizabeth I and Henry VIII made a huge difference in how her subjects saw her. She worked hard to unify her country and did exactly what she set out to do.
"QUEEN ELIZABETH I & THE CHURCH." Elizabeth I and the Church. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. .
She battled through attacks on the very thing that she held dear, her love of God and a love for her country. The success of Queen Elizabeth was due greatly to the trust that her followers had in her. She gained their trust through her devotion to fighting for what was right. It is here that “character is formed by continued hard work and intentional effort”. (Horsager, 2012, p). Queen Elizabeth worked very hard on her image and her character and her effort paid off. When she passed away, it was a “period that saw England, united as a nation, become a major European power with a great navy; a period in which English commerce and industry prospered and English colonization was begun”. (Columbia,
Queen Elizabeth solved the religious issues between the Puritans/Catholics and the Church of England. This was called "The Elizabethan Religious Settlement.” Elizabeth restored the Protestant faith to be the Church of England, and Catholics were not happy with this, for they felt they were not represented. Elizabeth put Catholic traditions in the Protestant faith as to keep everyone pleased and feel accepted. A lot of people weren't happy at first with having to compromise, but it turned out to be for the best, and some Catholic traditions were mixed into Protestant traditions and a fragile agreement was made. In 1559, Elizabeth established the 'Acts of Supremacy', which state that the king or queen is the head of the Church of England. When