History glossary
The Act of Supremacy
the 1559 statute that restored royal authority over the Church of England under Elizabeth I.
- Category
- Statute
- Region
- England
- Date range
- 1559
What it means
The 1559 Act of Supremacy restored the English crown's authority over the national church. Elizabeth used the title Supreme Governor, a formulation designed to make the settlement more politically and theologically workable.
Stories using this term
The Elizabethan Age
Elizabeth I’s reign brought stability, cultural flourishing, exploration, and victory over the Spanish Armada.
The English Reformation
Henry VIII’s break with Rome reshaped religion, politics, and identity through decades of upheaval.
The Tudor Dynasty
The Tudors strengthened royal power, drove religious change, and shaped early modern England.
