Act of Uniformity 1662 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act for the Uniformity of Publique Prayers and Administracion of Sacramentes & other Rites & Ceremonies and for establishing the Form of making ordaining and consecrating Bishops Preists and Deacons in the Church of England. |
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| Citation | 14 Cha. 2. c. 4
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| Territorial extent |
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| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 19 May 1662 |
| Commencement | 7 January 1662 |
| Repealed |
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| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | Clerical Subscription Act 1865 |
| Repealed by |
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Status: Partially repealed
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| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Act of Uniformity 1662 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk | |
The Act of Uniformity 1662 was an important law passed by the Parliament of England. It was signed into law on May 19, 1662. This Act made sure that everyone in the Church of England followed the same rules for public prayers and religious ceremonies.
It said that the 1662 Book of Common Prayer had to be used for all church services. This book contained the exact words and order for prayers and other church activities. To hold any job in the government or the church, people had to agree to use this new prayer book.
The Act also said that the Book of Common Prayer had to be translated into the Welsh language. It also brought back the rule that all church leaders, like deacons, priests, and bishops, had to be officially ordained by a bishop. This rule had been stopped by the Puritans during the Civil War.
A few parts of this Act are still in effect in the United Kingdom today.
Contents
The Great Ejection
Because of this Act, more than 2,000 church leaders refused to agree to its rules. They were forced to leave the Church of England. This event is known as the Great Ejection of 1662.
Before this, some ministers were already outside the main church. But the Act of Uniformity created a new group called non-conformists. These were people who did not follow the official Church of England rules. For about 150 years, these non-conformists were not allowed to take part in public life.
The Clarendon Code
The Act of Uniformity was one of four very important laws. Together, these laws are called the Clarendon Code. They were named after Edward Hyde, the Earl of Clarendon. He was a key advisor to King Charles II.
Here are the four laws that made up the Clarendon Code:
- The Corporation Act (1661): This first law said that all town officials had to take part in Anglican church services. They also had to reject an old agreement from 1643 called the Solemn League and Covenant. This law stopped non-conformists from holding public jobs. It was later cancelled in 1828.
- The Act of Uniformity 1662: This second law made it required to use the Book of Common Prayer in all church services. As mentioned, over 2,000 church leaders refused to follow this and had to leave their positions.
- The Conventicle Act (1664): This law made it illegal for more than five people from different households to meet for worship. Its goal was to stop dissenting religious groups from gathering.
- The Five Mile Act (1665): This last law of the Clarendon Code targeted Nonconformist ministers. It said they could not come within five miles of towns or their old church locations. They were also not allowed to teach in schools. This law was cancelled in 1812.
These laws, along with the Test Act, prevented non-conformists from holding government or military jobs. They also stopped them from getting degrees from the universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
The Quaker Act
Another law, the Quaker Act (1662), made people swear loyalty to the king. However, Quakers would not do this because of their religious beliefs. This Act set out punishments for not swearing the oath. For example, a first offense could mean a fine or three months in prison.
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer that King Charles II introduced was mostly the same as an earlier version from 1559. That version was based on Thomas Cranmer's even older version from 1552. With only small changes, this book is still the official prayer book for the Church of England today.
Act of Toleration
The Toleration Act 1688 was passed later. It allowed some dissenters to have places and freedom to worship. However, they still had to agree to certain rules.
Changes in 1872
The rules of the Act of Uniformity 1662 were changed and partly removed by another law in 1872. This later law has also been cancelled.
See also
- Act of Uniformity
- Conformist
- Nonconformist
- Puritan's Pit
- Religion in the United Kingdom
- Savoy Conference
- Thomas Becket
