Editing Puritans (section)

=== Elizabethan Puritanism ===
{{further|History of the Puritans under Elizabeth I}}
The [[Elizabethan Religious Settlement]] of 1559 established the Church of England as a Protestant church and brought the [[English Reformation]] to a close. During the reign of [[Elizabeth I|Elizabeth&nbsp;I]] (r. 1558–1603), the Church of England was widely considered a [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] church, and Calvinists held the best [[bishopric]]s and [[Deanery|deaneries]]. Nevertheless, it preserved certain characteristics of medieval [[Catholicism]], such as cathedrals, [[church choir]]s, a formal [[liturgy]] contained in the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', traditional clerical [[vestment]]s, and [[episcopal polity]].{{sfn|Coffey|Lim|2008|pp=3–4}}

Many English Protestants—especially those former [[Marian exiles]] returning to England to work as clergy and bishops—considered the settlement merely the first step in reforming England's church.{{sfn|Craig|2008|p=36}} The years of exile during the [[English Reformation#Marian Restoration|Marian Restoration]] had exposed them to the practices of the [[Continental Reformed Protestantism|Continental Reformed churches]]. The most impatient clergy began introducing reforms within their local parishes. The initial conflict between Puritans and the authorities included instances of nonconformity, such as omitting parts of the liturgy to allow more time for the sermon and singing of [[Metrical psalter|metrical psalms]]. Some Puritans refused to bow on hearing the name of Jesus, or to make the [[sign of the cross]] in baptism, or to use [[wedding ring]]s or the organ. 

Yet, the main complaint Puritans had was the requirement that clergy wear the white [[surplice]] and [[Canterbury cap|clerical cap]].{{sfn|Craig|2008|p=37}} Puritan clergymen preferred to wear [[Geneva gown|black academic attire]]. During the [[vestments controversy]], church authorities attempted and failed to enforce the use of clerical vestments. While never a mass movement, the Puritans had the support and protection of powerful patrons in the aristocracy.{{sfn|Craig|2008|pp=43–44}}

In the 1570s, the primary dispute between Puritans and the authorities was over the appropriate form of church government. Many Puritans believed that the Church of England should follow the example of Reformed churches in other parts of Europe and adopt [[presbyterian polity]], under which government by [[bishop]]s would be replaced with government by [[Presbyterian polity#Elder|elders]].{{sfn|Craig|2008|pp=39–40}} But all attempts to enact further reforms through [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] were blocked by the Queen. Despite such setbacks, Puritan leaders such as [[John Field (Puritan)|John Field]] and [[Thomas Cartwright (theologian)|Thomas Cartwright]] continued to promote presbyterianism through the formation of unofficial clerical conferences that allowed Puritan clergymen to organise and network. This covert Puritan network was discovered and dismantled during the [[Marprelate controversy]] of the 1580s. For the remainder of Elizabeth's reign, Puritans ceased to agitate for further reform.{{sfn|Craig|2008|p=42}}