What was religion like in Elizabeth’s reign?
A Yorkshire man’s view of Mary’s reign, from the Narrative of Robert
Parkyn.
Holy bread and holy water was given, altars redecorated, pictures put up, the
cross and a crucifix ready to be carried in processions. All the English service
lately used in the church was put away and the Latin taken up.
A description of London in the reign of Edward VI, from the Chronicle of
Grey Friars.
The 5th day after in September (1547) began the King’s visit to St Paul’s, and all
the images were pulled down; and the 9th day after of that same month the visit
was to St Bride’s, and after that to other churches; and so all images were pulled
down in England at that time, and all churches painted with new whitewash, with
the Commandments written on the walls.
The picture on the left shows the interior of a church in Edward VI’s reign and the
picture on the right shows the interior of a Catholic church in Mary I’s reign.
1.
Look at the written sources and the drawings on this page. Complete the
first two columns of the churches chart below to show what Catholic and
Protestant churches were like in this period. Find some extra points for the
chart by researching using this site or other sources of information. Using
the information above and your own research, fill in the last column on
your churches chart to show what religion was like in Elizabeth’s reign.
The churches chart
Decoration of
Catholic churches
Protestant
Churches and
and church
churches and
services under
services
church services
Elizabeth I

wall paintings
building
Layout of building
Priests/ministers

wear plain
gowns
Language used

English Prayer
Book
Style of services
John Knox, a Scottish Protestant, said that Elizabeth and her Church was
‘neither good Protestant, nor yet a Catholic’.
2.
What do you think he meant by this?
3.
Do you agree? Explain your answers as much as you can using ideas
from your churches chart.