Many people were happy with the changes to the Anglican Church
itself. They believed it managed to be less dull for the ordinary
people without being too showy
Created a lot of opposition with
local lords and nobility as they did
not want to return their land.
Also resentment of the clergy being granted
important positions they would normally
receive
Puritans were the most prominent critics
Bitterly opposed to the Catholic Church. Believed that the Anglican
church should be reformed to be simpler, yet the changes made
appeared more Catholic in nature
Disliked Bishops
Catholic church had Bishops
Bishops enacted Charles' reforms
Mutual hatred between them and Laud
1937, Prynne, Burton, Bastwick released pamphlets against Laud. Laud had them
arrested, their ears chopped off, branded their faces with a red iron and
imprisoned them for life
Evoked sympathy with the Puritans and also increased their hatred of Bishops
They became Puritan Martyrs
Laud saw Puritanism as a
greater threat to Anglicanism
than Catholicism
Not a majority denomination,
however were powerful and
influential.
Mostly Gentry/Landed classes
Educated... Successful in business
Determined with the belief God was on their side. They were
willing to push their beliefs.
What happened in Scotland?
1637, Charles I and Laud insisted Scotland use the new prayer books
This was in attempt to uniform the Kingdom
Scots resented interference and found the reforms insensitive
When it was first used in Edinburgh in July 1637 there was a riot
Scottish opponents signed a Covenant against Charles I criticising him
Charles marched North but was defeated in 1638 and again in 1640.
The Scots invaded Newcastle but agreed to leave if they were paid money - which lead to the calling of parliament
Specifically opposed to the Common book of Prayer and the Arminian liturgy
Arminian sympathies
William Laud
1633 Charles I Appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury
Wanted bishops and clergy to have more power, as did Charles
e.g. Charles made Bishop William Juxon - who was also Laud's protégé - Lord Treasurer 1636
e.g. tried to force nobles to return bought land to the church
Made services more ceremonial, musical, decorated etc.
Brought in a new prayer book
Vigorous campaign to attempt to restore the Church to its pre-restoration wealth
Attempted to impose uniformity throughout the Kingdom
The Queen was openly Roman Catholic
Charles had several people in positions of
power who were suspected to be
Roman Catholic which caused suspicion
December 1634 Charles I became the
first monarch to have received an
emissary from the Pope since the
reformation
Charles I sought Queen Anne's advice
over major policy decisions and
appointments