Civil War person: Bishop

Lesson at a glance

Suggested inquiry questions: Why was there opposition to changes made to the Anglican Church by 1642?

Potential activities: Watch the video and complete the document activity

Why was there opposition to changes made to the Anglican Church by 1642?

In 1633 Charles appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury. Charles and Laud held similar views on the Anglican Church (the Church of England). They both wanted the clergy (ordinary priests) and bishops (senior churchmen) to have more power and importance. For example, Charles appointed a bishop, Bishop Juxon, as Lord Treasurer. He also tried to force nobles who had taken over church lands in the 1500s to give them back to the church.

By the 1630s most churches in England were plain and undecorated. Most services were simple. They involved readings from the Bible with a priest preaching and teaching. Laud was concerned that many ordinary people found the services dull. He brought in services that involved more music and ceremony. Priests were allowed to wear decorated robes. Paintings, crosses, statues and stained glass windows were allowed in the churches. Laud also brought in a new prayer book.

Many ordinary people, nobles and gentry approved of these measures. By 1640 they felt that churches were attractive, but not too showy. They felt that church services were serious, but not too dull and boring. The church dealt harshly with people or groups who had different or extreme religious ideas. The gentry approved of this because it meant that everyone knew their place in society. Many people liked their new Anglican Church and were prepared to fight to defend it.

On the other hand, Laud’s changes also caused a huge amount of opposition. Many local lords and gentry did not want to give lands back to the church. They also disliked clergy being given important jobs in the government instead of them. The loudest critics of all were the Puritans. Puritans were extreme Protestants.


Tasks

Watch the video of our actor playing the role of a Bishop.

Document activity: Read the document background, the document and answer the questions which follow. You can use the transcript and simplified transcript to help.



Connection to Curriculum:

Key stage 3: The National Curriculum: The causes and events of the civil wars throughout Britain

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Lesson at a glance

Suggested inquiry questions: Why was there opposition to changes made to the Anglican Church by 1642?

Potential activities: Watch the video and complete the document activity

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