Uniformity, Acts of
Uniformity, Acts ofA series of English laws intended to secure the legal and doctrinal basis of the Anglican Communion. The first ( 1549 ) made the Book of Common Prayer compulsory in church services, with severe penalties on non-compliant clergymen. The second ( 1552 ) imposed a revised Prayer Book, which was more Protestant in tone, and laid down punishments for recusants. Mary I had both Acts repealed, but the third ( 1559 ) introduced a third Book of Common Prayer and weekly fines for non-attendance at church. The fourth ( 1662 ) presented a further revised, compulsory Book. Under its terms some 2000 non-compliant clergymen lost their benefices, creating the Anglican- Nonconformist breach.
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