Puritanism was the State religion and every church was a Protestant church. It was illegal to be a Jesuit or Roman Catholic priest. As a result of which Catholics lost not only their freedom to worship but their civil rights as well.- all sides were horrific in the 16th century - whether Anglican or Baptist or Catholic or Reformed or Lutheran etc. etc.
Everyone was supposed to attend Church services once a month and it was mandatory to attend the churches for Sunday services. A fine of 12 pence was subjected to those who were absent. Later it was increased to 20.
Attendance to mass, religious catholic activity was strictly prohibited and a fine up to 100 marks was levied upon. Organizing a mass was punishable by the death penalty. However, it was not practised until 1577 when situations got out of control.
On 29 April 1559, new Penal Laws were passed against the Catholics. There were restrictions on attending masses and non-attending of Anglican services. There was a penalty for not taking the Oath of Supremacy.
AHHhhh...
Is we complaining about a little bit of payback??
| The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition, was established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. |