What changes did Elizabeth I make to the Book of Common Prayer in 1559?

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In 1559, Queen Elizabeth I restored the 1552 edition of the Book of Common Prayer through the Act of Uniformity. While this version remained largely consistent with the 1552 text, Elizabeth introduced a few small but significant modifications to the liturgy:

  • Eucharistic Belief: The changes allowed for a broader interpretation regarding the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, moving away from the more strictly Protestant stance of the 1552 version.1
  • Litany Revision: An offensive prayer directed against the pope was removed from the litany.1

These adjustments were part of the broader Elizabethan Religious Settlement, which sought to establish a stable state church and mitigate religious conflict within England.2