ABSTRACT
Religious differences were one of the most constant causes of trouble between the Portuguese and English men and women living in Portugal and its dominions during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Even after the revolution of 1688, the government in England did little to ameliorate religious problems being experienced by Englishmen and women in Portugal. Although it seems that the government did consider limiting the number of catholic chaplains in London embassies which provided English catholics with opportunities to practice their religion. The men on the Commons Committee were responsible men, who understood the militancy of catholic priests in England, many of whom were fanatic crusaders. The Commons Committee Report of 29 April 1678 spoke of the scandalous open practice of their religion by catholics in Monmouthshire; the appointment of catholic justices of the peace in Northumberland and recusancy fines being allowed to lapse.
