oughout Elizabeth’s reign the intensity of measures taken against priests and the Catholic Faithful varied according to the degree of threat which they were deemed to pose. Tightening of the screw sometimes followed external challenges, usually from the Pope. It must not be assumed, however, that leading non-
Catholics were of one mind as to how to deal with the Catholic population. Within Parliament the Commons sometimes expressed opinions considered too extreme by both the Lords and the monarch. Many compromises had to be made.
Initial relationships with the Papacy had been relatively friendly. Shortly after his consecration Pius IV (1559-
65) had written to Elizabeth encouraging her to return the nation to the Catholic fold. His envoy was
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Papal opposition to Anglican forms of worship became plain in 1562.
Elizabeth’s second parliament met in 1563 after the failure of a plot organised by the nephews of Cardinal
Pole to overthrow the government. Ecclesiastical commissioners also reported that the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity were being flouted and the result was the passing of “an Act for the assurance of the queen’s royal power.” This specified that an oath affirming the supremacy of the Queen had to be taken by all holders of significant positions and by all those who attended mass or who assisted in its celebration. Refusal to take the oath would lead to forfeiture of property and imprisonment. A repeat offence would lead to the offender being hanged, drawn and quartered as a traitor. In practice the Act was not implemented fully but it posed a powerful threat.
At a Convocation of the English Church in 1563, under the leadership of Matthew Parker, Archbishop of
Canterbury, The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion were accepted which set out the key features of the doctrine of the Church of England. They reflected some traditional Roman practices and avoided some of the more extreme Protestant ideas followed on the continent. The breach with Rome was made abundantly clear,