Establishment

Abstract

The text of the Book of Common Prayer as it now stands in the Church of England was established in 1662 as part of the Restoration settlement of religion. A great many amendments were included in the final version of the text, notably the adoption of the Authorized or King James Version for many of the biblical extracts. Some of the revisions had been agreed to by both parties at the Savoy Conference, convened in response to long-standing puritan objections to the Prayer Book. While most of the changes had no effect on the meaning of the text, a few did modify the Communion service in a conservative direction. A number of new services were added as well; and with that the Book of Common Prayer arrived at the form it has had in England ever since.