Diocese of Aberdeen - Reformation

Reformation

The Scottish Reformation was formalised in 1560 when, by act of Parliament, papal authority and many other Catholic beliefs were rejected, resulting in the church in Scotland being separated from the Holy See. In 1582, the Church of Scotland rejected episcopal government and adopted a Presbyterian model. Two years later, in 1584, King James VI tried to bring the Church of Scotland under royal control by appointing two bishops; this met vigorous opposition and he was forced to concede that the General Assembly should continue to run church affairs. However, after acceding to the English throne in 1603, James VI stopped the General Assembly from meeting and increased the number of Scottish bishops. In 1637, the introduction of an English-style Prayer Book into the Scottish church saw riots break out across Scotland, resulting in the abolition of the episcopacy in 1638. However, with the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, episcopacy was reintroduced. Following the Glorious Revolution of 1689, the Scottish bishops refused to swear allegiance to William of Orange leading to the abolition of the episcopacy and the Presbyterian form of church government being re-established once more.