Arminianism

High church school of Christian theology opposed to Calvin's doctrine of predestination which flourished under James I and Charles I, and later formed the basis of Wesleyan Methodism. Named after a Dutch Protestant theologian, Jacob Arminius (1560-1609), it was associated in England with William Laud, bishop of London and later archbishop of Canterbury. It was first promoted by Charles, as Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Buckingham, to the annoyance of James I. Arminianism was denounced when Parliaments were called again in 1640, after the 11-year period of Charles's personal rule.

With its emphasis on free will, the divine institution of bishops, and ‘the beauty of holiness’, Arminianism undermined central tenets of the Puritanism or Calvinism which hitherto dominated the Elizabethan and Jacobean church. Arminians were also perceived as supporting many of Charles's more unpopular policies, such as the imposition of ship money and the Bishops' Wars in Scotland.