However, James's religious policy became more restrictive over time. He was increasingly intolerant of Catholicism and Puritanism, and he launched a series of persecutions against these groups. In 1605, he ordered the execution of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot, a Catholic attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. He also passed a series of laws that restricted the rights of Catholics, including the Recusancy Laws, which imposed heavy fines on Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services.
In 1610, James convened the Hampton Court Conference, which brought together representatives from the Church of England and the Puritans. The conference failed to reach an agreement, and the Puritans were further alienated from the Church of England.
James's religious policy ultimately failed to achieve its goals. He was unable to establish a moderate policy of religious tolerance, and his persecutions of Catholics and Puritans only served to deepen religious divisions in England.