📕 Chapter 3: A Long and Illustrious History
What is the Kirk?
Correct answer: The Presbyterian Church of Scotland
A A Scottish castle
✓ The Presbyterian Church of Scotland
C A Scottish Parliament
D A type of Scottish law
💡 Explanation
The Kirk is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, established in 1560.
Key facts to remember
- John Knox led Scottish Reformation
- Scottish Parliament abolished papal authority in 1560
- Presbyterian Church of Scotland (the Kirk) established
- Mary Queen of Scots was Catholic, returned from France 1561
- Forced to abdicate 1567; son became James VI
- Imprisoned by Elizabeth I for 19 years; executed 1587
Why this is the answer
From the official Life in the UK study material — 3.3.5 The Scottish Reformation:
In Scotland, the Protestant Reformation was led by John Knox, a fiery preacher who had been influenced by the teachings of John Calvin. In 1560, the Scottish Parliament abolished the authority of the Pope and established a Presbyterian Church of Scotland (known as the Kirk). This was a more radical form of Protestantism than the Church of England.
Mary, Queen of Scots was a Catholic who returned to Scotland from France in 1561. She faced opposition from Protestant nobles and John Knox. After a series of scandals and political crises, Mary was forced to abdicate in 1567 in favour of her infant son James VI. She fled to England, where she was imprisoned by Elizabeth I for 19 years before being executed in 1587.
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