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Which of these statements best describes the role Elizabeth I played

during the English Reformation? (1 point)
She established the Protestant Church of England after breaking
with the Catholic Church.
She offered compromises to Protestants and Catholics while
keeping Protestantism as England's official state religion.
She offered compromises to Protestants and Catholics while
keeping Catholicism as England's official state religion.
She restored Catholicism as England's official state religion after
executing a large number of Protestant opponents.

User Force Bolt
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2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

Elizabeth I offered compromises between Protestants and Catholics, keeping Protestantism as the official state religion in England but requiring only outward conformity from her subjects, thus promoting stability during her reign.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes the role Elizabeth I played during the English Reformation is: She offered compromises to Protestants and Catholics while keeping Protestantism as England's official state religion. Elizabeth I sought to maintain a balance between Protestants and Catholics, leaning towards Protestantism but requiring only outward conformity from her subjects. By maintaining the hierarchical structure and ceremonial aspects of Catholic services, while incorporating Protestant elements such as services in the vernacular and allowing priests to marry, she established a middle way known as the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. This approach brought stability to England during a time of religious turmoil.

Under the reign of Elizabeth I, the Church of England again became the state church, with the Elizabethan Settlement seeking to appease both Puritans who wanted more reforms and Catholics who preferred traditional practices. The Puritans, English Calvinists, sought to further purify the Anglican Church from Catholic influences, with some ultimately leaving England to form their own communities in North America and mainland Europe due to the lack of further reforms under Elizabeth's rule and that of her successors.

User Lord Zsolt
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0 votes

Final answer:

Option 2) Elizabeth I offered compromises to both Protestants and Catholics but maintained Protestantism as the official state religion, implementing the moderate Elizabethan Settlement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes the role Elizabeth I played during the English Reformation is that she offered compromises to Protestants and Catholics while keeping Protestantism as England's official state religion. After inheriting a realm deeply divided by religious conflict from her half-siblings, Edward VI and Mary I, Elizabeth sought to stabilize her country through a series of religious policies known as the Elizabethan Settlement.

This approach included maintaining the hierarchical structure and many ceremonial aspects of the Catholic church while making the services more Protestant in doctrine and practice, such as conducting mass in the vernacular and allowing priests to marry. The compromise aimed to appease both Catholics and the growing number of Protestants, including the Puritans, though it did not satisfy all factions completely, leading to further religious tensions in the future.

User Everettss
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