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Jan 1, 1300
The Renaissance
This is the first event in my timeline because this time was a time of rebirth. The beginning of the reformation marked a new period of thinking. People were starting to think for themselves, rather than just thinking whatever the Church told them to think. -
Jan 1, 1378
The Papal Schism
At this time, there were 7 Avignon popes. The popes were living lavishly and refused to move to Rome. The church was becoming more and more corrupt, through simony, greed, lust, and scandal. The Church was becoming unstable and people were starting to see the faults in the Church. -
Jan 1, 1380
John Wycliffe Translates the Bible
This is significant because these are the first hand-written English language Bible manuscripts. John Wycliffe was a professor, scholar, and theologian. He translated out of the Latin Vulgate. -
Jan 1, 1440
Invention of the Printing Press
The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 in the Holy Roman Empire. This event is significant because it caused literature to become more accessible to common people and increased literacy. Also, it allowed the English translation of the Bible, so people were becoming able to read and interpret the Bible independently for the first time. -
Jan 1, 1506
Huldrych Zwingli Preaches
Huldrych Zwingli was originally from Switzerland, and was ordained in Constance in 1506. He preached thoughts about reforming the Catholic Church. Zwingli openly opposed pilgrimages and indulgences. He even convinced Rome to withdraw an indulgence preached in Switzerland. His ideas spread, and could have influenced Martin Luther's writings of his 95 theses. -
May 1, 1511
The Praise of Folly
This is notable because it expresses the desire to reform the Church. Although Erasmus wanted to reform it from within, it still holds the same basic idea of reform within the church -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther Nails 95 Thesis
This event is significant because it officially marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.