Uniformity, Act of

views updated May 09 2018

Uniformity, Act of (1662) English Act of Parliament regulating the form of worship in the Church of England after the Restoration of the monarchy. It required all ordained clergy to follow the Book of Common Prayer. The Act also required the clergy to repudiate the Solemn League and Covenant, to forswear the taking up of arms against the Crown, and to adopt the liturgy of the Church of England.

Uniformity, Act of

views updated May 23 2018

Uniformity, Act of in British history, any of four acts (especially that of 1662) establishing the foundations of the English Protestant Church and securing uniformity in public worship and use of a particular Book of Common Prayer. The first two Acts were passed in the reign of Edward VI but repealed under his Catholic successor Mary I; a third was passed in the reign of Elizabeth I, and a final Act in 1662 after the Restoration.