Elizabethan England Topic Summaries

The Puritans and Parliament

GCSE > History > CCEA > GCSE History: Elizabethan England (1558-1603) > Elizabeth’s accession > The Puritans and Parliament
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Key terms
  • Puritans wanted further Protestant reforms to the Church of England. They opposed Catholic-style ceremonies, bishops, and church hierarchy, seeing to ‘purify’ the Church of England by eliminating the Catholic practices Elizabeth had compromised on.
  • Puritan MPs used Parliament to campaign for change, but Elizabeth blocked Puritan bills and punished outspoken critics.
  • Elizabeth insisted on religious uniformity and royal control over the Church, using royal speeches and her veto power to control debate. She dissolved Parliament when it became too critical.
  • Puritan challenges exposed tensions between Crown and Parliament but showcased Elizabeth’s commitment to maintaining stability.

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