The Clarendon Code: Establishing Anglican Supremacy in Restoration England

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The Clarendon Code, a series of laws from 1661-1665, aimed to reinforce the Church of England and suppress Nonconformists. It included the Corporation Act, Act of Uniformity, Conventicle Act, and Five-Mile Act, leading to the Great Ejection and restrictions on religious practices. These acts had profound effects on religious freedom, prompting resistance and the eventual shift towards toleration with the Act of Toleration in 1689.

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Overview of the Clarendon Code

The Clarendon Code is the collective term for a series of laws enacted in England from 1661 to 1665, named after Edward Hyde, the 1st Earl of Clarendon, who was a chief advisor to King Charles II. These laws were aimed at establishing the supremacy of the Church of England and suppressing the practices of Nonconformists and Dissenters. The Clarendon Code played a pivotal role in the religious and political context of the Restoration era, as it sought to reinforce the authority of the Anglican Church after the upheavals of the English Civil War and the Interregnum.

Restoration-era Anglican church interior with symmetrical design, colorful stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and ornate wooden pews.

The Four Acts of the Clarendon Code

The Clarendon Code consists of the Corporation Act of 1661, the Act of Uniformity of 1662, the Conventicle Act of 1664, and the Five-Mile Act of 1665. The Corporation Act required municipal officeholders to take Anglican communion, effectively excluding Nonconformists from public offices. The Act of Uniformity prescribed the use of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer in religious services and led to the Great Ejection of non-conforming clergy. The Conventicle Act prohibited religious gatherings of more than five people outside the Church of England, and the Five-Mile Act forbade non-Anglican ministers from living within five miles of incorporated towns or their former parishes unless they swore an oath of non-resistance.

Political and Religious Implications of the Clarendon Code

The Clarendon Code had significant political and religious repercussions. The Corporation Act disenfranchised Nonconformists, while the Act of Uniformity resulted in the ejection of around 2,000 clergy who refused to conform to Anglican worship, creating a class of Nonconformist ministers. The Conventicle Act and Five-Mile Act imposed severe restrictions on Nonconformist worship and movement, respectively. Collectively, these laws reinforced the dominance of the Church of England and curtailed the freedoms of Nonconformist and Dissenting groups.

Consequences and Resistance to the Clarendon Code

The Clarendon Code's enforcement led to the persecution and suppression of religious groups such as Quakers and Puritans. However, the restrictive measures also fostered a spirit of resistance among Nonconformists. Expelled ministers formed clandestine congregations, which laid the groundwork for the development of new denominations, including Methodists and Baptists. This resilience and growth of Nonconformist communities demonstrated the unintended consequences of the Clarendon Code.

Historical Significance of the Clarendon Code

The Clarendon Code's historical importance extends well beyond its immediate impact on 17th-century England. It represents a significant moment in the evolution of religious legislation and contributed to the development of English civil liberties by provoking opposition to religious persecution. The Code set the stage for the socio-political changes that culminated in the Glorious Revolution and the subsequent Act of Toleration in 1689, which marked a move towards greater religious toleration and freedom of conscience in England.

Comparative Analysis of the Clarendon Code

A comparative analysis of the Clarendon Code with other historical legislation reveals the dynamic nature of religious policy in England. The Act of Uniformity within the Clarendon Code imposed stricter religious conformity than the Elizabethan Act of Uniformity of 1559, which aimed for religious unity but allowed for some variation in practice. In contrast, the Act of Toleration passed after the Glorious Revolution in 1689 granted Nonconformists significant religious freedoms, reflecting a shift away from the stringent enforcement of Anglican orthodoxy characteristic of the Clarendon Code.

Scholarly Perspectives on the Clarendon Code

Scholars offer diverse interpretations of the Clarendon Code. Professor Mark Goldie considers it a key element in establishing the Anglican order, while Professor John Spurr views it as a means of reasserting Anglican ritualism after the Civil War. Historian Professor J.C.D. Clark highlights its role in transitioning England from a state of religious plurality to one of enforced uniformity. Dr. David Wykes points out that the Code's pressures led to a more unified Nonconformist movement. These scholarly views underscore the Clarendon Code's lasting influence on the religious and political fabric of England.