Elizabeth I was born in 1533 and became Queen of England and Ireland in 1558. She kept this role until her death in 1608. The religious differences that England experienced before Elizabeth took the throne continued during her reign. Under Edward VI (1537-1553), the nation went through a dramatic shift toward Protestantism, and an equally dramatic swing away from the religion during the reign of Queen Mary I. Elizabeth became the only English ruler to resolve the religious issue spreading across the nation.
Elizabeth needed to convice the Parliament, which was equally divided between the Catholic House of Lords and the Protestant House of England, that compromise would be the only solution. Eventually, the Church of England was formed, combining a hierarchical Catholic structure with a Protestant creed. Elizabeth hoped to create a religiously tolerant attitude in her nation by allowing all religions. However, all citizens were still bound by law to attend the Church of England. Although it seemed Elizabeth had found a solution, religious arguments continued throughout Elizabeth's reign.
In the 1570s and 1580s there were many Catholic plots to overthrow Elizabeth and make Mary of Scotland the Queen of England. Many of these plots were uncovered by Elizabeth's spies before they were put in action. In 1587 the period of religious tolerance ended and more than 200 Catholic priests and laymen were executed on charges of treason. In 1587 Mary of Scotland was accused of plotting to assinate Elizabeth, and she too, was executed.
Because of several attempts to dethrone Elizabeth, and a series of revolts in Ireland leaving British nobles richer and Irish natives in poverty, Catholic Philip of Spain invaded England in 1588. The Spanish Armada was defeated, and ELizabeth died on March 24, 1603. (http://www.fofweb.com/History/Reference.asp?ID=9890)
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Elizabeth needed to convice the Parliament, which was equally divided between the Catholic House of Lords and the Protestant House of England, that compromise would be the only solution. Eventually, the Church of England was formed, combining a hierarchical Catholic structure with a Protestant creed. Elizabeth hoped to create a religiously tolerant attitude in her nation by allowing all religions. However, all citizens were still bound by law to attend the Church of England. Although it seemed Elizabeth had found a solution, religious arguments continued throughout Elizabeth's reign.
In the 1570s and 1580s there were many Catholic plots to overthrow Elizabeth and make Mary of Scotland the Queen of England. Many of these plots were uncovered by Elizabeth's spies before they were put in action. In 1587 the period of religious tolerance ended and more than 200 Catholic priests and laymen were executed on charges of treason. In 1587 Mary of Scotland was accused of plotting to assinate Elizabeth, and she too, was executed.
Because of several attempts to dethrone Elizabeth, and a series of revolts in Ireland leaving British nobles richer and Irish natives in poverty, Catholic Philip of Spain invaded England in 1588. The Spanish Armada was defeated, and ELizabeth died on March 24, 1603. (http://www.fofweb.com/History/Reference.asp?ID=9890)
Works Cited