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May 1, 1309
Avignon Papacy Splits the Church
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fa%C3%A7ade_du_Palais_des_Papes.jpgThe first major split in the Church after the break with the Orthodoz church in 1054 occured when there were several popes at once, each excommunicating the other. IT demonstrated a division in the Church.
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May 1, 1382
John Wycliffe translates bible into venacular English
John Wycliffe's translation of the bible into venacular English was a precursor to Luther's translation of the bible into German. Wycliffe's bible came out more than 100 years before Luther's and was produced for the same reason, to insure that people could develop their own personal relationship with God.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Wycliffe_01.jpg (image source: ) -
May 1, 1415
Jan Hus burnt at the stake at the Council of Constance
Jan Hus also criticized the church and wanted to create a church that rejected everything in the Roman Catholic Church that was not biblically founded. Although he was given assurance that he would not be harmed, he was executed at the Council of Constance. image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jan_Hus_at_the_Stake.jpg -
May 1, 1450
Gutenburg Press
The printing press allowed for the mass printing of Luther's writings, therefore making the Reformation possible. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gutenberg_press.jpg
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May 29, 1453
The Fall of Constantinople
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Siege_of_Constantinople.jpgWith the fall of Constantinople the fear throughout Europe overshadowed everything else. Many argue that the fear of Turks made it impossible for Charles V to enforce his will in German central Europe. image source: -
May 1, 1498
Savonarola
Like Luther he criticized the debauchery among Church leaders. He did not think that people should concern themselves with the pomp and pagentry of the mass, but rather find virtue in doing good. image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Girolamo.Savonarola.jpg -
May 1, 1511
Erasmus Praise of Folly
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holbein-erasmus.jpgErasmus wanted to reform the Church as much as Luther, yet not the same way. Erasmus wanted to reform the church from within. image source: -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther Nails 95 Thesis
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin_Luther_by_Lucas_Cranach_der_%C3%84ltere.jpegThis marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation image source: