How important was religion in 1558?

Answer 1

religion was very important between England and Spain in 1558. It separated them dearly how England was protestant and Spain was catholic . Phillip 2 wanted to make England catholic but Elizabeth refused and this let to war. the armada.

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When Henry the 8th died in 1547 the Anglican Church that he created was essentially Catholic. Not Roman Catholic -but Catholic in all but name.

His successor Edward 6th ,influenced by Thomas Cranmer converted the Anglican church to a Protestant church.

In 1553 Edward 6th died .

Mary was crowned and she put legislation thru Parliament to convert the Established English church back to a Roman Catholic Church.

Her decision in 1554 to marry Phillip of Spain was extremely un popular with the general public . This event renewed the interest in Protestantism.

She died in 1558 and was succeeded by her half sister Elizabeth.

In 1558 the mood of the people suggested that the church could go back to Henry 8th model ie no Papal Authority .but essentially a Catholic church in nature

However Elizabeth legally converted the Anglican Church to a Protestant Church(1559) -and so it remains. This decision was influenced in part because of her support for the Dutch and French Protestants who were fighting the Spanish

She introduced in 1559 the Revised Book of Common Prayer Book . This act was very popular since it was written in language that the average person understood.

Elizabeth was anti Spanish not anti Catholic .

The Spanish planned to overthrow Elizabeth -she was considered a heretic- and then replace her with Mary Queen of Scots.

Mary Queen of Scots was executed in 1587 .

That event provoked the Spanish into sending an armada of 130 ships with the intention of removing Elizabeth by force. The year was 1588. The invasion failed

So yes 1558 was an influential year -religion wise and other events

Answer 2

There was one religion and it was Catholic. It served to guide everyone in life and told society what the rules of a good life were. It was also part of daily life and all were expected to follow the guidelines it set. The Catholic religion told the poor and the kings how to live and what to do. To answer your question it was very important.