Example: "Explain why there was religious tension during Charles II's reign." (8 marks)
Structure (3 developed points):
1. Memory of Civil War: Many Anglicans blamed Puritans for the chaos of Civil War and execution of Charles I. The Cavalier Parliament wanted revenge, leading to the harsh Clarendon Code which ejected 2,000 ministers in 1662...
2. Fear of Catholicism: England had been Protestant for over 100 years. Catholics were associated with foreign powers (France, Spain), tyranny, and plots. When James was revealed as Catholic by the Test Act 1673, it seemed the Crown itself was threatened...
3. Charles's policies: The King's attempts at tolerance (1662, 1672 Declarations of Indulgence) were seen as favouring Catholics. His French alliance and secret Treaty of Dover increased suspicions...
Always link reasons together: Parliament's fear of Catholicism was worsened by Charles's suspicious behaviour.
This exam focus covers Exam Technique: Explain Why... within Religious Settlement for GCSE History. Revise Religious Settlement in Restoration England 1660-1685 for GCSE History with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 6 of 15 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for Religious Settlement
Approximately how many ministers were ejected from the Church of England by the Act of Uniformity 1662?
What did the Conventicle Act 1664 ban?