Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
* Tolerant but Firm: Elizabeth, while a staunch supporter of the Church of England, was more tolerant of Puritan beliefs than many of her advisors. She allowed some Puritan practices, like the wearing of plain clothing and the use of the Geneva Bible. She also allowed some Puritan preachers to hold positions within the Church, as long as they remained loyal to her and the established order.
* Suppression of Radicalism: However, Elizabeth drew a firm line against radical Puritanism. She believed that the Church of England was the best form of Christianity and would not tolerate any attempts to overthrow it. She persecuted some of the most radical Puritans, who sought to reform the Church even further than she allowed. Notable examples include the imprisonment of Thomas Cartwright and the execution of Edmund Campion.
* The Book of Common Prayer: Elizabeth was a champion of the Book of Common Prayer, which was a key feature of the Church of England. The Puritans viewed it as too Catholic and wanted to simplify and purify the worship service. Elizabeth’s insistence on the Book of Common Prayer was a constant source of tension with the Puritans.
* Political Considerations: Elizabeth's approach was pragmatic. She recognized the growing strength of Puritanism, but she also knew that the Church of England was a cornerstone of her authority. She feared that allowing the Puritans too much freedom could lead to instability and even rebellion.
King James I (1603-1625)
* Initial Accommodation: James I, a staunch defender of the divine right of kings, believed that the Church of England should be unified under his authority. He initially attempted to appease the Puritans with some concessions, such as the Hampton Court Conference of 1604.
* Growing Frustration: James became increasingly frustrated with the Puritan's relentless calls for further reform, which he viewed as a challenge to his authority. He saw their demands as an attack on the established order and a threat to his own position.
* The "Gunpowder Plot" and After: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an attempt to assassinate James and blow up Parliament, was seen by James as a product of Puritan extremism. This event hardened his stance against the Puritans, leading to a crackdown on their activities.
* The "Book of Sports": James's declaration of "The Book of Sports" in 1618, allowing recreational activities on Sundays, further enraged the Puritans. They saw this as a violation of the Sabbath and a sign of James's indifference to their religious concerns.
In Summary:
* Elizabeth I was a pragmatist who tried to manage the Puritans, allowing some flexibility while firmly suppressing radicalism.
* James I became increasingly hostile to the Puritans, viewing them as a threat to his authority and the Church of England. His reign saw a more severe crackdown on Puritan activities.
Both monarchs faced the challenge of navigating the growing power and influence of Puritanism, with very different results. The seeds of conflict sown during their reigns would ultimately lead to the English Civil War in the 17th century.