Religion and politics in Elizabethan England

Download or read book Religion and politics in Elizabethan England written by Neil Younger and published by Manchester University Press. This book was released on 2022-10-25 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book reassesses the religious politics of Elizabethan England through a study of one of its most unusual figures. Sir Christopher Hatton, a royal favourite turned senior minister, was unique among Elizabeth’s leading ministers in being a consistent supporter of English Catholics and perhaps even some kind of Catholic himself. His influence over the queen was a significant factor in restraining the policy preferences of Elizabeth’s more strongly Protestant advisors, particularly as regards the regime’s religious policy. The book traces Hatton’s life and career, his relationship with Elizabeth, his networks and his involvement in politics. It argues that Hatton’s career casts doubt on claims that Elizabeth’s regime was exclusively Protestant in character and suggests that Catholics and Catholic sympathisers retained a voice in Elizabethan politics.