Archbishop William Laud, supported by King Charles I, who was married to the Catholic Henrietta Maria, emphasised the sacramental value of the Church of England and its continuity with its catholic past.

This caused fierce opposition, as did the King’s disregard for Parliament and his belief in a divine right to rule. Civil war resulted. Both Archbishop Laud and Charles were executed. Episcopacy was abolished and for a decade the Church of England formally became Presbyterian.

1660

But a new age did not dawn and in 1660 the monarchy was restored, episcopacy re-established and the Prayer Book revised.