File:Manuscript of Speech by Queen Elizabeth I - warning on religion.jpg

English: AN IMPORTANT SPEECH QUEEN ELIZABETH I GAVE BEFORE THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON MARCH 29, 1585 in the collection of the Yuko Nii Foundation.

Elizabeth I gives a trenchant warning to Parliament about religion, very likely on Catholicism: “One thing I may not overskip. Religion, the ground on which all other matters ought to take root, and, being corrupted, may mar all the tree. And that there be some fault-finders with the order of the clergy, which so may make a slander to myself, and to the church, whose over-ruler God hath made me, whose negligence cannot be excused, if any schisms or errors heretical were suffered. Thus much I must say, that some faults and negligences must grow and be, as in all other great charges it happeneth; and what vocation without? All which, if you, my lords of the clergy, do not amend, I mean to depose you. Look ye, therefore, well to your charges.”.

ELIZABETH I GIVES A TRENCHANT WARNING TO PARLIAMENT ABOUT RELIGION THE SAME YEAR AN ACT WAS PASSED THAT OUTLAWED ORDAINED CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN ENGLAND

Elizabeth I persecuted Catholics and approved measures that outlawed Catholicism during her long reign. The same year the present speech was given, “An act against Jesuits and seminary priests” was passed which made it treason for any Catholic priest ordained abroad after 1559 to come into or remain in England and a felony for anyone to shelter or assist such a priest, treason and felony were both punishable by death.