Elizabeth I - Catholicism

• Attitude of toleration towards Catholics in early years of reign
• 1559 Act of Supremacy laid down fines for recusants
• Most Catholics conformed and obeyed law -> Catholic bishops refused to conform to 1559 Oath of Supremacy
• 1569 Northern Rebellion provoked punitive attitude
• 1570 Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth and asked Catholics to despose her

Penal laws against Catholics

• 1571 Act made publication of papal bulls treasonable
• 1581 Act to retain the Queen's Majesty's Subjects in their Due Obedience -> treason to withdraw allegiance to Queen of Church of England = saying mass punishable by heavy fine or imprisonment -> fine for recusants raised to 20 pound a month -> 15 Catholic priests executed 1581-82
• 1585 Act against Jesuits and Seminary Priests = treasonable for priests under Pope's authority to enter England -> 123 priests convicted + executed 1586-1603

• Tightening legislation due to international position + Philip II + fear of Catholic rebellion
• October 1584 pressures against Catholics reinforced by 'Bond of Association for the Preservation of the Queen's Majesty's Royal Person' = those who took oath could execute anyone who attempted to usurp Crown

Catholic missions

• 1568 college founded in Spanish Netherlands = train Catholics priests sent to England to maintain Catholic faith -> 1575 11 Seminary priests in England -> 1580 about 100 -> 1580-85 179 arrived
• Society of Jesus sent Jesuit priests to England 1580 = dedicated to restoring Catholicism in England
• Success of the missions was limited -> priests associated more with protectors than 'ordinary people' = Catholicism became 'country-house religion' than popular faith in 1560s