How did William Laud defend the collection of tithes for the Church of England?

William Laud did not defend the collection of tithes in a way that supported the general public or Puritan interests; rather, he actively sought to consolidate church control over them. As archbishop of Canterbury, Laud viewed the Church of England as a powerful institution whose strength was inseparable from that of the state.1

In his efforts to restore the church's position as a significant landowner, Laud moved to suppress the "feoffees for impropriations"—a City of London organization that purchased tithes and church patronage specifically to benefit Puritan clergy. By dismantling this organization, Laud aimed to prevent the diversion of these resources away from the established church hierarchy. While he worked to diminish inefficiency and corruption within the clergy, his broader attempts to restore the church's financial and land-holding power met with limited success.1