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VirginiaHuguenot · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2007, 01:32 PM

Derek A. Wilson, The Uncrowned Kings of England: The Black History of the Dudleys and the Tudor Throne (2005), p. 292:

Quote:

[Robert] Dudley became increasingly worried by the activities of the Presbyterians who were endangering the progress of further reformations, splitting the radical wing of the church and making it difficult for him and his friends to fight for the cause at government level. Matters came to a head at Southam, Warwickshire, in 1576. One of the most important aspects fo the Puritan movement was the 'exercises' or 'propheysings': meetings of local ministers for mutual exhortation and Bible study, sometimes accompanied by public sermons. They were anathema to the queen and when complaints reached her about the behaviour of the Presbyterian ministers and gentlemen in Warwickshire, Elizabeth referred the matter to Dudley -- Warwickshire was, after all, 'his' county. Dudley passed on Elizabeth's protests to Archbishop Grindal and the Southam exercise was closed down. Dudley now found himself obliged to offer a defense to Puritan activists who accused him of deserting the cause.

...for the exercises which I have known and heard of in many places, there was never thing used in the Church that I have thought and do think more profitable both for people and ministers, or that I have more spoken for or more laboured in defence of, even from the beginning, especially where they are used with quietness to the conversation and unity of the doctrine established already and to the increase of the learned ministry...I fear the over busy dealing of some hath done so much hurt in striving to make better...that which is...good enough already that we shall neither have it in Southam nor any other where else.

Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury was suspended from his office in 1577 by Queen Elizabeth for disobeying her command to supress Puritan exercises or prophesyings.