Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

[Durham]

Originally Posted by Denville

She was the same as all rulers in the 16th century. Religious conformity was expected in all states in Europe.. the general principle was that people had to confrom to the ruler's denomination.. Catholic states persecuted Protestants and vice versa.....Elizabeth was generally contented with the appearance of conformity but since the Pope had ssaid that she was not the legitimate ruler of England, she had to be wary of Catholics who might rise up and put Mary queen of Scots on the throne instead of her.....

Well indeed it was the Pope who upped the ante with his Regnans in Excelsis. It made life for English recusants increasingly difficult. All the later plots against Elizabeth were inspired by it.

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by Durham

Well indeed it was the Pope who upped the ante with his Regnans in Excelsis. It made life for English recusants increasingly difficult. All the later plots against Elizabeth were inspired by it.

And the Bull of 1570 was encouraged by an English Catholic exile, Cardinal Allen and was in response to the failed Catholic Rising of the North in 1569.