Severe punishments were introduced for those who attended a Catholic Mass or practiced Catholicism in some other way. This happened during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who persecuted Catholics.
On this day the English Parliament passed a law according to which the Catholic faith in England was prohibited. Severe punishments for those who attended a Catholic Mass or otherwise practiced Catholicism were introduced. This happened during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who persecuted Catholics, unlike her sister Mary who, in turn, persecuted Protestants.
In the Elizabethan era, it was extremely dangerous to be a Christian in England, and especially a Catholic priest. So, the families who were trying to stay Catholic had hidden holes in the floors and secret passageways in which they could hide priests in case the state inspection came. Theories exist that William Shakespeare was secretly a Catholic, but could not admit that because it would have harmed him.
