Explain how Elizabeth’s policy towards Catholics changed in the 1580s. (8 marks)
In the 1580s, Elizabeth’s policy changed towards Catholics as her tolerance of them sharply
declined as a result of an increase in threats and rebellions which were taking place both in
England and other foreign countries. Elizabeth’s policies towards Catholics changed
dramatically as a result of increased threats and plots made against her. Additionally, her
laws changed as a result of Elizabeth feeling vulnerable as lots of important Catholic families
that held a lot of power in England and Europe trying to persuade Elizabeth to return her
country to the Catholic faith.
Before Elizabeth changed her policy in the 1580s, Elizabeth decided to introduce recusancy
fines, in 1571, for Catholics who did not attend and take part in Protestant church services.
These Catholics could be fined or have their properties and land taken off them. However,
the rich Catholics were able to pay these fines and did not suffer from these consequences
as a result of Elizabeth not enforcing her laws harshly enough. When Parliament tried
Elizabeth to raise the fines, she refused. Elizabeth also made Catholic items such as ‘rosary
beads’ illegal. After this, in 1581, recusancy fines were increased to £20 which was higher
than most Catholics could afford. Additionally, Elizabeth enforced a law that it was high
treason to convert to the Catholic faith and could result in death. Later, in 1585, Elizabeth
made a new law that stated that any priest who had been ordained after 1559 was
considered as a traitor and both himself and anyone who attempted to protect him would
face death. Elizabeth also made it legal for anyone to be killed who tried to plot to
assassinate her.
Furthermore, Edmund Campion was a Jesuit missionary who was sent to England to spread
his religious messages about the Catholic Faith. Campion travelled around the country
preaching his message about the Catholic faith. However, when the news reached Elizabeth,
Campion became wanted and it was thought that Campion wanted to encourage and start a
rebellion. Campion’s fate was determined by his Catholic messages and preaches to the
whole of England.
Conclusively, she changed her policy to the Catholic law as a result of the plots she faced.
She made the law stricter to prevent more people from following the Catholic faith and she
became harsher in the treatment of Catholics. Additionally, she may have changed the her
policy as a result of threats from overseas, from Catholics in the North, the Jesuit
missionaries and the numerous plots against her.
In the 1580s, Elizabeth’s policy changed towards Catholics as her tolerance of them sharply
declined as a result of an increase in threats and rebellions which were taking place both in
England and other foreign countries. Elizabeth’s policies towards Catholics changed
dramatically as a result of increased threats and plots made against her. Additionally, her
laws changed as a result of Elizabeth feeling vulnerable as lots of important Catholic families
that held a lot of power in England and Europe trying to persuade Elizabeth to return her
country to the Catholic faith.
Before Elizabeth changed her policy in the 1580s, Elizabeth decided to introduce recusancy
fines, in 1571, for Catholics who did not attend and take part in Protestant church services.
These Catholics could be fined or have their properties and land taken off them. However,
the rich Catholics were able to pay these fines and did not suffer from these consequences
as a result of Elizabeth not enforcing her laws harshly enough. When Parliament tried
Elizabeth to raise the fines, she refused. Elizabeth also made Catholic items such as ‘rosary
beads’ illegal. After this, in 1581, recusancy fines were increased to £20 which was higher
than most Catholics could afford. Additionally, Elizabeth enforced a law that it was high
treason to convert to the Catholic faith and could result in death. Later, in 1585, Elizabeth
made a new law that stated that any priest who had been ordained after 1559 was
considered as a traitor and both himself and anyone who attempted to protect him would
face death. Elizabeth also made it legal for anyone to be killed who tried to plot to
assassinate her.
Furthermore, Edmund Campion was a Jesuit missionary who was sent to England to spread
his religious messages about the Catholic Faith. Campion travelled around the country
preaching his message about the Catholic faith. However, when the news reached Elizabeth,
Campion became wanted and it was thought that Campion wanted to encourage and start a
rebellion. Campion’s fate was determined by his Catholic messages and preaches to the
whole of England.
Conclusively, she changed her policy to the Catholic law as a result of the plots she faced.
She made the law stricter to prevent more people from following the Catholic faith and she
became harsher in the treatment of Catholics. Additionally, she may have changed the her
policy as a result of threats from overseas, from Catholics in the North, the Jesuit
missionaries and the numerous plots against her.
