Michael Brooks
Elizabeth I inherited a nation suffering from religious flux and, in 1559, established the Church of England to build a stable, peaceful nation with a strong government, free from the influence of foreign powers in matters of the church and state. However, her reign saw the persecution and execution of many Catholics. From 1581, it became an offence to convert someone to Catholicism, and in 1585, it was enacted that being a priest in England was to commit treason. As a result, 183 Catholics were executed under anti-Catholic legislation during Elizabeth's reign, and many more were imprisoned or exiled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics executed under anti-Catholic legislation during Elizabeth I's reign | 183 |
| Reason for executions | Consorting with Jesuits and priests trained in the Spanish Netherlands to reconvert gentry |
| Year it became illegal to convert someone to Catholicism | 1581 |
| Year it became treason for priests to practice Catholicism in England | 1585 |
| Other religious groups executed by Elizabeth I | Protestants |
| Number of Protestants executed by Elizabeth I | Unclear, but a list of names exists |
| Other monarchs who executed religious minorities | Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic priests executed
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth I was accused of killing "hundreds of Catholics". However, it is important to note that Elizabeth did not force conversions or kill in the name of faith. She was considered exceptionally tolerant by the standards of her time and enjoyed the loyalty of even her most Catholic subjects.
The total number of people who suffered for their faith during her reign is unknown. However, it is estimated that around 180 Catholics were executed during her 45-year rule, which equates to about four per year. It is important to highlight that none of these people were executed for "heresy" or expressing their religious opinions. Instead, they were punished for conspiring against the queen, raising rebellions, inciting political sabotage, and plotting her murder.
Under Elizabeth I, Catholicism was associated with treason. This perception was influenced by the presence of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was next in line for the throne and a Catholic. As a result, Catholic priests were viewed as potential terrorists. After 1585, any priest ordained abroad since 1559 and found in England was automatically deemed a traitor, punishable by death.
One hundred and twenty-three Catholic priests were martyred during Elizabeth's reign, including St. Cuthbert Mayne, who was the first to be put to death in 1577. Other notable priests who were executed include John Nelson, Thomas Sherwood, and Edmund Campion, who was tortured before being falsely convicted and hanged alongside two other priests.
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Treason and anti-Catholic legislation
Elizabeth I inherited a nation suffering from religious flux and wanted to build a stable, peaceful nation with a strong government, free from the influence of foreign powers in matters of the church and the state. To realise this vision, it was necessary to reach a new religious settlement that was as inclusive as possible.
However, the choice of state religion would have political consequences, whatever the decision. Choosing to remain Catholic would surrender power to Rome and ally England with other Catholic states, such as France and Spain. Returning to Protestantism would align England with the Dutch, its main trading partner, but risked antagonising Spain, the most powerful nation in the world.
Elizabeth's first Parliament was inaugurated on 25 January 1559. The Act of Supremacy still abolished papal supremacy, but defined Elizabeth as Supreme Governor, rather than Supreme Head, of the church. This change of title placated those who did not feel that a woman could be the head of the church, and the act passed fairly easily. The Act of Uniformity of 1559 set out the groundwork for the Elizabethan church. It restored the 1552 version of the English Prayer Book but kept many of the familiar old practices and allowed for two interpretations of communion, one Catholic and one Protestant.
Despite these attempts at inclusion, persecution of Catholics stepped up. In 1581, it became an offence to convert someone to Catholicism, framed as punishment for treason. Then, in 1585, it was enacted that to be a priest in England (unless ordained before the queen’s accession) was to commit treason, and anyone aiding such a priest was also guilty of a capital crime. Some 183 Catholics were executed under the anti-Catholic legislation during Elizabeth’s reign, and many more imprisoned or exiled. Torture was also employed, in later years under the supervision of the notorious sadist, Richard Topcliffe.
Elizabeth’s biographer, Anne Somerset, argues that it was the presence of Mary, Queen of Scots in England that made the link between Catholicism and treason so clear in the minds of Elizabeth’s government, and perhaps the queen herself.
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Catholic martyrs
The number of Catholics killed by Elizabeth I depends on how the executions are framed. While 183 Catholics were executed under anti-Catholic legislation during Elizabeth's reign, they were technically killed for treason. From 1581, it was an offence to convert someone to Catholicism, with the punishment framed as treason. In 1585, it was made treason to be a priest in England unless ordained before Elizabeth's accession. Those who gave aid to such priests were also guilty of a capital crime.
The Catholic martyrs of Elizabeth's reign included priests Cuthbert Mayne, John Nelson, and Thomas Sherwood, who were among the first to be executed. One of the most famous of these priests was Edmund Campion, who had once been favoured by the royals at Oxford before converting to Catholicism. On being captured, he was tortured to extract a confession of plotting against the queen.
Elizabeth's persecution of Catholics was influenced by the presence of Mary, Queen of Scots, in England, which made the link between Catholicism and treason clear in the minds of her government and perhaps the queen herself. Elizabeth's legislation was designed to appear as punishment for treason, which was considered more palatable than religious persecution.
While Elizabeth executed far more Catholics than Mary Tudor, it is important to note that they were not killed simply for being Catholic. They were executed for consorting with Jesuits and priests trained in the Spanish Netherlands to reconvert gentry, who would then encourage rebellion.
The choice of state religion had significant political consequences. Remaining Catholic would surrender power to Rome and ally England with other Catholic states like France and Spain. On the other hand, returning to Protestantism would align England with its main trading partner, the Dutch, but risked angering Spain, the most powerful nation at the time.
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Religious persecution
Elizabeth I inherited a nation suffering from religious flux, with a history of religious persecution. Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church, declaring himself the head of the Church of England, only for this to be reversed by Queen Mary I, who restored Catholicism as the state religion. Elizabeth's goal was to build a stable, peaceful nation with a strong government, free from foreign influence in matters of church and state. To achieve this, she established the Church of England in 1559, with herself as the Supreme Governor. This was a moderate settlement, allowing for Catholic and Protestant interpretations of communion.
However, this did not mean an end to religious persecution. Elizabeth's settlement was designed to minimise confrontation, but the choice of state religion would always have political consequences. Aligning with Catholicism would mean surrendering power to Rome and allying with Catholic states like France and Spain. On the other hand, Protestantism risked antagonising Spain and creating fear of persecution among English Catholics.
Elizabeth's legislation was carefully framed to avoid the appearance of religious persecution. From 1581, it was an offence to convert someone to Catholicism, but this was framed as treason, only criminal if it was intended to undermine Elizabeth's rule. Later, being a priest in England became treason unless ordained before Elizabeth's reign, and aiding such a priest was also punishable by death. Around 183 Catholics were executed under this legislation, with many more imprisoned or exiled. Torture was also used, particularly under Richard Topcliffe.
The presence of Mary, Queen of Scots, in England may have contributed to the link between Catholicism and treason in the minds of Elizabeth's government. Mary was seen as a rival claimant to the throne and a potential focus for rebellion. There were plots to assassinate Elizabeth and place Mary on the throne, with the support of Catholic powers. This context may explain the harshness of the anti-Catholic legislation, and the perception that Catholicism was linked to treason.
While Elizabeth did execute Catholics, it is important to note that they were not put to death simply for their faith. They were executed for consorting with Jesuit priests trained to reconvert the gentry, which was seen as encouraging rebellion. The number of Catholics executed under Elizabeth was far higher than the number of Protestants executed under Mary I, but this may be partly due to Elizabeth's longer reign.
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Number of Catholics killed by Elizabeth I vs. Queen Mary
During Queen Mary's short reign, she was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of religious dissenters, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary". The number of people executed for their faith during the persecutions, known as the "Marian Persecutions", is thought to be at least 287, including 56 women. Thirty others died in prison. John Foxe, who was against the burning of heretics, listed 312 individuals who were burnt or hanged for their faith, or died or sickened in prison.
Queen Mary's half-sister, Elizabeth I, also persecuted Catholics during her much longer reign. Under Elizabeth I, it became an offence to convert someone to Catholicism, and from 1585, it was treason to be a priest in England. Some 183 Catholics were executed under the anti-Catholic legislation during her reign, and many more were imprisoned or exiled. Torture was also employed, in later years under the supervision of the notorious sadist, Richard Topcliffe.
While the number of Catholics killed by Elizabeth I was lower than that of Queen Mary, it is important to note that Elizabeth's reign was much longer, spanning 45 years compared to Mary's 5 years. Elizabeth has been criticised for persecuting minorities and suppressing dissent.
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Frequently asked questions
183 Catholics were executed under anti-Catholic legislation during Elizabeth I's reign.
Elizabeth I passed laws that made violations of her spiritual authority punishable by death. This was because she wanted to protect herself from plots to replace her with a Catholic ruler, such as Mary Queen of Scots.
No, there was not the same level of public burning as during the reign of Mary I. However, Catholics were still killed by hanging, drawing, and quartering.
No, both Catholics and Protestants were persecuted during this time.
No, Catholics were executed for consorting with Jesuits and priests trained in the Spanish Netherlands to reconvert gentry.
