Religion and Politics in Elizabethan England

This book reassesses the religious politics of Elizabethan England through a study of one of its most unusual figures. Sir Christopher Hatton, a royal favourite turned senior minister, was unique among Elizabeths leading ministers in being a consistent supporter of English Catholics and perhaps even some kind of Catholic himself. His influence over the queen was a significant factor in restraining the policy preferences of Elizabeths more strongly Protestant advisors, particularly as regards the regimes religious policy. The book traces Hattons life and career, his relationship with Elizabeth, his networks and his involvement in politics. It argues that Hattons career casts doubt on claims that Elizabeths regime was exclusively Protestant in character and suggests that Catholics and Catholic sympathisers retained a voice in Elizabethan politics. -- .