Act of Uniformity 1558 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Acte for the Uniformitie of Common Prayoure and Dyvyne Service in the Churche, and the Administration of the Sacramentes. |
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| Citation | 1 Eliz. 1. c. 2 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1888 |
| Relates to | |
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Status: Repealed
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The Act of Uniformity 1558 was an important law passed by the Parliament of England in 1559. Its main goal was to make sure everyone in England followed the same rules for church services. This included how people prayed, worshipped God, and took part in special church ceremonies called sacraments.
This law made it compulsory to use the 1559 Book of Common Prayer for all church services. The Act of Uniformity was a key part of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. This was a plan by Elizabeth I to bring peace and unity to the church in England. Other important laws in this plan were the Act of Supremacy 1558 and the Thirty-Nine Articles.
Contents
Why the Act Was Needed
A Time of Change
Queen Elizabeth I wanted to bring stability to England. For about 30 years before she became queen, England had faced a lot of religious arguments. Her father, Henry VIII, had broken away from the Catholic Church. Then, her brother, Edward VI, made England even more Protestant. After him, her sister, Mary I, tried to bring Catholicism back.
Finding a Balance
These changes caused a lot of confusion and disagreement. Elizabeth I wanted to find a middle ground. The Elizabethan Settlement, including the Act of Uniformity, aimed to create a church that many people could agree with. It tried to combine different styles of worship within the Church of England. This mix of traditions still exists in the worldwide Anglican Church today.
What the Act Said
Rules for Worship
The Act of Uniformity made the 1559 Book of Common Prayer the official guide for all church services. This book contained all the prayers and rules for how services should be held.
Attending Church
The law also stated that everyone had to go to Anglican church services at least once a week. If someone did not attend, they could be fined 12 pence. This amount was quite a lot of money back then, equal to about three days' wages for a worker.
When the Act Ended
A Temporary Stop
The Act of Uniformity was officially cancelled for a short time on September 27, 1650. This happened during the Commonwealth of England, when England was ruled by Parliament, not a king or queen. The "Act for the Repeal of several Clauses in Statutes imposing Penalties for not coming to Church" stopped the fines for not attending church.
Back in Force
However, this repeal did not last long. When the monarchy (the king or queen) was brought back in 1660, this earlier repeal was cancelled. So, the Act of Uniformity became law again.
Final Repeal
Most parts of the Act of Uniformity 1558 were finally removed from law much later. This happened with the Statute Law Revision Act 1888.
See also
- Acts of Supremacy
- Acts of Uniformity
- Conformist
- Nonconformist
- Religion in the United Kingdom
- A View of Popish Abuses yet remaining in the English Church
