Conclusion

Abstract

Abstract The religious changes of the sixteenth century had sapped the reputation and resources of the episcopate without redefining their position in English society. In 1603 bishops were still expected to support an impressive household, offer hospitality and charity to their neighbours, play their part in ruling the shires as magistrates and royal commissioners, and attend Parliament and Convocation. In some respects the burdens of office had actually increased. It is true that after 1558 bishops ceased to be sent on foreign embassies1 but in James I’s reign they regained their role as royal advisers and politicians, without relinquishing their active involvement in diocesan affairs. Many protestants expected their bishop to be pastor as well as prelate, and in particular hoped to hear him in the pulpit. Alongside the traditional work of moral reform through the church courts, bishops also faced the novel problem of containing sizeable minorities of Puritans and Catholics. We cannot doubt that the Jacobean episcopate had many and conflicting responsibilities, but we may wonder what, if anything, they achieved.