The religious policy of the Cecils, 1588-1598
The thesis examines the Cecils contribution to three areas of religious policy during 1588-98: the control of protestant non-conformity; the loyalty of lay catholics; and the political and financial management of the episcopate. Lord Burghley (William Cecil) supported strong measures against protestant separatists, but opposed Archbishop Whitgift's suppression of moderate puritanism. His criticism of the authoritarian claims of the church hierarchy won limited support from Elizabeth I, but when Whitgift pressed for the exemplary execution of leading separatists - against Burghley's will - the archbishop prevailed. The thesis argues, however, that at this same moment (April 1593) Burghley outmanoeuvred Whitgift in parliament by securing an anti-separatist statute that protected moderate puritans. Burghley's central role in anti-catholic policy is shown to have reached a peak during 1590-93, to be replaced by a climate from 1594 in which councillors resisted his calls for the creation of ever-harsher sanctions against recusants. Burghley's justifications of this policies were rejected by Sir Thomas Tresham, and it is suggested that, increasingly, councillors began to re-assess the coherence and effectiveness
Richardson, William Boys
Great Britain--Religion--16th century ; Religion and state--Great Britain--History--16th century ; Burghley, William Cecil, Baron, 1520-1598 ; Salisbury, Robert Cecil, Earl of, 1563-1612 ; Church and state--Great Britain--History--16th century
The religious policy of the Cecils, 1588-1598. The thesis examines the Cecils contribution to three areas of religious policy during 1588-98: the control of protestant non-conformity; the loyalty of lay catholics; and the political and financial management of the episcopate. Lord Burghley (William Cecil) supported strong measures against protestant separatists, but opposed Archbishop Whitgift's suppression of moderate puritanism. His criticism of the authoritarian claims of the church hierarchy won limited support from Elizabeth I, but when Whitgift pressed for the exemplary execution of leading separatists - against Burghley's will - the archbishop prevailed. The thesis argues, however, that at this same moment (April 1593) Burghley outmanoeuvred Whitgift in parliament by securing an anti-separatist statute that protected moderate puritans. Burghley's central role in anti-catholic policy is shown to have reached a peak during 1590-93, to be replaced by a climate from 1594 in which councillors resisted his calls for the creation of ever-harsher sanctions against recusants. Burghley's justifications of this policies were rejected by Sir Thomas Tresham, and it is suggested that, increasingly, councillors began to re-assess the coherence and effectiveness
religious policy examines three_area religious policy control protestant non conformity loyalty lay catholic political financial management episcopate lord william support strong measure protestant separatist oppose archbishop suppression moderate puritanism criticism authoritarian claim church hierarchy limited support elizabeth press exemplary execution lead separatist archbishop prevail argues however moment parliament secure anti separatist statute protect moderate puritan central_role anti_catholic policy show reach_peak replace climate councillor resist call creation ever sanction recusant justification policy reject sir thomas suggest increasingly councillor begin re_assess coherence effectiveness