Conclusion

Summary

Given the density of the narrative presented in this book, it is in order to summarise my key contentions. This book provides a definitive account of all of Laud's Scottish-related activities, from his initial visit to Scotland with James VI…I in June 1617 to his execution in January 1645. Although arguing that he was not the first archbishop of Canterbury to take an interest in the Scottish church, the book shows that he was the first English archbishop to be given relatively free rein to intervene in Scottish church affairs by his royal master, Charles I. Laud's unparalleled position as senior ecclesiastical adviser to the king, who shared his love of ceremony and his preference for order and uniformity, gave him unprecedented access to a church which lay beyond his formal jurisdiction. If his status at court gave him the opportunity to intervene in Scotland, his antipathy towards Presbyterianism provided the motive. During the 1630s, he had no official authority outside the Church of England, but he used his position within the English church to extend his remit beyond English borders, all the while operating outside institutional boundaries to become involved in as many aspects of crown policy in Scotland as possible. Laud did not work in isolation – he needed at least a few of the Scottish bishops ‘on side’ to implement such core policies as the canons and prayer book – but he was a force to be reckoned with when it came to putting in place the king's and his own wish to harmonise Scottish worship with English church practice. Although some of the Caroline episcopate were definitely on the conservative side, in terms of seventeenth-century religion, the bishops in Scotland cannot really be described as ‘Laudian’ as a whole, but they did their level best to comply with the king's and Laud's commands because, as the archbishop made clear, they would not prosper if they failed in this endeavour. Recognising the implications for their church, yet unable to challenge the king directly, most of the Scottish bishops were caught between a rock and a hard place. All they could do was perhaps delay proceedings and try to ensure that core policies like canons and prayer book were in a form as acceptable as possible to Scottish worshippers.