What was discussed - The Church

Why was this important?

The English Reformation of 1558 had replaced the Roman Catholic Church with the Church of England - with the King at its head and bishops and archbishops beneath him. The negotiations at Uxbridge were about who controlled religion - the King or the church itself. They also addressed a widespread fear of Catholic influence - Charles I had a Catholic wife and had recently negotiated with Catholic rebels in Ireland.

The Parliamentary view

The Church of England should be further reformed along the lines of the Church of Scotland - governed by assemblies of churchmen and with no head of the church.

The Common Prayer Book - familiar today - should be replaced with a new Directory for Worship.

There should be stricter anti-Catholic rules.

The education of the Royal children should be through tutors approved by Parliament.

The Royalist view

As bishops and archbishops had existed since the time of Christ, there was no need to replace them with assemblies. 

The Prayer Book had adequately served its purpose for the past 100 years.

Due to the scale of the proposed reforms, a National Synod or council should discuss them at a later date.

The King should decide how his children are educated.