Religion and Politics in Elizabethan England : The Life of Sir Christopher Hatton

Sir Christopher Hatton is one of the least well-understood of major Elizabethan politicians. He rose from a humble gentry background to become a leading courtly favourite of Elizabeth I, a councillor, Lord Chancellor of England and towards the end of his life one of the most powerful men in the country. Despite serving as a leading member of Elizabeth’s Protestant regime, however, he was deeply linked with English Catholics. He was a patron of numerous Catholics within his own family, his household and servants, his artistic and academic patronage and his links with powerful local gentry. In spite of the risk to his own position, he both protected many Catholics and encouraged them where possible towards outward conformity to the church. Simultaneously, he staunchly supported those within the Church of England who sought to repress puritanism. This book, the first major study of Hatton in over seventy-five years, provides a full account of his life and career. It looks at his rise to prominence at court and his role as a royal favourite, assessing his relationship with the Queen and the rewards of office. It addresses his role in the political debates of the mid-Elizabethan period, from the question of the Queen’s marriage to the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots and the war with Spain. It discusses his consistent efforts to steer the Church of England away from puritanism, and finally asks how a man so closely associated with Catholicism could operate within Elizabeth I’s Protestant government. 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. Front matter Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Conventions Abbreviations Chronology Introduction Rising to power at Elizabeth’s Court Patronage and religion Religion, reputation and public opinion Domestic and foreign policy Contesting religious policy within the Elizabethan regime Hatton within the Elizabethan regime Conclusion: Catholicism, conservatism and the Elizabethan regime Bibliography of primary sources Index This book provides a full account of the life and career of the Elizabethan politician and courtier Sir Christopher Hatton. A loyal favourite and minister of a Protestant queen, he was also a patron and protector of Catholics. This account of Hatton opens a new window into the complex religious politics of Elizabeth's reign. -- .