Savoy Conference

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The Savoy Conference of 1661 was a significant liturgical discussion that took place, after the Restoration of Charles II, in an attempt to effect a reconciliation within the Church of England. It was convened by Gilbert Sheldon, in his lodgings at the Savoy Hospital in London.

It was attended by 12 Anglican bishops, and 12 representative ministers of the Puritan and Presbyterian factions. The object was to revise the Book of Common Prayer. Richard Baxter for the Presbyterian side presented a new liturgy, but this was not accepted. Shortly afterwards the Anglican church split, with the dissenting Nonconformists largely leaving.

In 1662 the Act of Uniformity followed.

[edit] Publications

• "Order of the Savoy Conference," in Gee and Hardy Documents Illustrative of English Church History, pp. 588-594 (London, 1896)
• Prof. C. W. Shields, Book of the Common Prayer . . . as amended by Westminster Divines, 1661 (Philadelphia, 1867; new edition, New York, 1880).
• D. Neal, History of the Puritans, part iv (New York, 1863)