The Act of Uniformity and the Great Ejection (August 24, 1662)

On August 24, 1662, a significant event in English religious history occurred with the enforcement of the Act of Uniformity. This legislation had profound effects on the religious landscape of England and led directly to what is known as the Great Ejection.

Background

The Act of Uniformity, passed by the English Parliament in 1662, was part of a series of measures known as the Clarendon Code. These measures were designed to re-establish the Church of England’s power following the English Civil War and the interregnum period of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth. The act mandated adherence to the Book of Common Prayer and imposed uniformity in religious services across England.

Key Provisions

• Use of the Book of Common Prayer: The Act required that all services in churches must follow the rites, ceremonies, and prayers as outlined in the newly revised Book of Common Prayer.

• Clergy Conformity: All ministers and clergy were required to swear an oath of allegiance to the King and assent to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, affirming Anglican doctrine.

• August 24, 1662 Deadline: The act set St. Bartholomew’s Day (August 24, 1662) as the deadline for clergy to comply, or they would face expulsion from their position.

The Great Ejection

The enforcement of the Act of Uniformity on August 24 led to the Great Ejection, where approximately 2,000 ministers refused to conform and were consequently expelled from their posts. This ejection predominantly affected nonconformist ministers, who could not adhere to the Act’s requirements due to theological objections. The mass removal of clergy had wide-ranging effects:

• Impact on Nonconformity: It significantly bolstered the ranks of English nonconformists, leading to the growth of congregationalists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and other dissenting groups.

• Social and Economic Consequences: Many ejected clergy faced financial hardship and loss of social status, as they were stripped of their livelihoods and homes associated with their former positions.

• Cultural and Religious Diversity: Despite the hardships, this event criticality contributed to the religious pluralism that was to characterize the British Isles in subsequent centuries.

Broader Historical Significance

The Great Ejection highlighted the religious divisions within England and underscored the tension between adherents of Anglican orthodoxy and various dissenting sects. This event was instrumental in shaping religious tolerance debates in England and laid groundwork for future religious freedoms and reforms, leading eventually to the Toleration Act of 1689, which granted limited freedom of worship to nonconformists.

The events of August 24, 1662, represented more than just a clash over religious uniformity—they signified a turning point in the struggle for religious and civil liberties in England, echoing through the centuries in the ongoing quest for religious tolerance and diversity.