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Period: 1509 to 1547
Henry VIII's reign
Henry VIII is the King who had eight wives and who is at the origin of Protestantism in England by provoking a schism ! -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-five thesis
He nailed a devastating critique of the Indulgences to the door of the University in Wittenberg. He criticised Indulgences because they were sold to profit the clergy. Indulgences were a document issued by the Church with the pope's authority which reduced the amount of time one would have to stay in the Purgatory. -
1526
The Tyndale Bible
William Tyndale translated the new Testament, which was in latin, in english. -
1533
Act of Succession
With this act, Anne Boleyn was made the legitimate queen when Henrry VIII married her. -
1534
Schism : The church of England seperated from the Roman Catholic church
During Henry VIII's reign, he separated from the Roman Catholic Church, despite being a devout catholic. He made this decision in order to divorce his then wife, Catherine of Aragon because she failed to bear a son and he fell in love with her lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. Even if he provoked the schism, it was purely institutional, as he still applied the Roman Catholic theology and dogma. -
1534
The Act of Supremacy
Henry VIII was made the Supreme Head of the Church of England. -
Period: 1536 to 1537
Pilgrimage of Grace
It was a protest against the Reformation and the dissolution. They demanded the restoration of the Pope and of Mary Tudor to the Royal Successions. Economic grievances were also at the centre of the rebellions. -
1537
Permission granted for an english Bible
The permission was given by the king for an English Bible and not a latin one. They were soon made mandatory in every church. -
Period: 1545 to 1563
Council of Trent
The Roman Catholic church attempted to correct some of the abuses of the church and harshly condemned protestant heresies. -
Period: 1547 to 1553
Edward VI : the young King
After Henry VIII's death, Edward VI, his and Jane Seymour’s son, succeded him to the throne, at the age of nine. Since he was too young to reign, his uncle Earl of Hertford and soon Duke of Somerset, became Lord Protector. Edward VI was fiercely Protestant and pushed towards Protestantism during his reign. -
1549
Book of common prayer
The first prayer book included the complete forms of service for daily and Sunday worship in English along with other prayers you had to do for certain occasions. It basically informed of the prayers and services you had to do in Protestantism. -
Period: 1553 to 1558
Mary I aka Bloody Mary
Mary I is the first queen regnant and married to Philip II, king of Spain, a catholic country. She is also the first daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She restored Catholicism in the span of 18 months resorting to burning alive the protestants and obligating them to flee the country. She made over two hundred casualties. -
Period: 1558 to
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth is the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, she was illegitimate and therefore could not succeed to the throne. However, restored in the line of succession with the Third Succession Act in 1543, upon Mary I's death, being her heir, she became queen at the sole age of 25 while she was unmarried. Because of her previous illegitimate status and the fact that she was an unmarried woman, she had to prove herself to the Catholics and the Protestants. -
1559
The Act of Uniformity
Every parish had to use the book of Common Prayer and people who did not attend an Anglican service were fined. -
1559
The Act of Supremacy
Regarding the church’s organisation, she abolidshed the Pope's authority, she restored the authority of the queen over the Church and became "Supreme Governor of the Church of England". -
1563
The 39 articles of faith
These articles stated the doctrine of the Church. They brought three important changes such as a new ecclesiology, a new doctrine of Salvation and a new definition of sacraments and of mass. They were published until 1571.
These changes are still in use today. -
1569
The Northern Rebellion
It was a rebellion against religious protestant reforms, with 6000 insurgents, it was led by the Earls of Westmorland and Northumberland. It was also an unsuccessful attempt to replace Elizabeth I by Mary, Queen of Scots. -
1570
The Pope excommunicated Elizabeth I
Until 1570, the Pope thought that Elizabeth I would revert to Catholicism because of the compromise she made between these two sides. Through the papal bull "Regnans in Excelsis", Pope Pius V excommunicated the Queen. Catholics began to be persecuted after 1570. -
1571
Treason Act
After Queen Elizabeth's excommunication, this act made it treason for anyone to say that Elizabeth was not the true Queen of England and Wales. -
Period: 1577 to
Repression of the Catholics
163 persons killed in 26 years. -
1581
The 1581 Act
It provided the death penalty to anyone converting or converted to Catholicism. It forbid people to participate or celebrate Catholic mass and Anglican services were now compulsory, if you missed any you had a 20£ fine per month. -
The Babington Plot
A plot led by Young Catholics whose objective was to kill the Queen and put Mary Stuart on the throne. Though, their strategies were discovered because of a coded letter which proved of Marie Stuart's conspiracy against the Queen. It eventually led to her execution. -
Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
She was the Queen of Scotland and also Queen Elizabeth's cousin. She was at the centre of the plots against the Queen because the Catholics wanted her to replace Elizabeth I. However, as she was her cousin, a queen and that there wasn't any proof against her, Elizabeth I only had her confined at first. Finally, she was made to be executed after Elizabeth I's master spy deciphered a coded letter between Marie Stuart and the group of Young Catholics during the Babington plot in 1586. -
The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
The King of Spain attempted to invade England after many failed attempt in killing the Queen through various plots. He faced a huge defeat because of England's superiority in material and human terms (recruitment of many more sailors). England had a brand new fleet of 800 ships along with a new strategy by England (line battle) and the Dutch strategy (incendiary ships). As a result, the victory over the Spanish Armada had many Ideological effects. -
James I's coronation
After Elizabeth's death, James I is crowned as he is next in line in succession. He is the son of Queen Mary of Scots. -
Period: to
James I's Reign
He is seen as a hope for Catholics but he continues Elizabeth’s laws which almost costs his life. As he is the King of both Scotland and England, he tries to unite the two, union which is stopped by the parliament. This event is a key cause of the tension between the King and the Parliament. James I inherited a £100 000 debt from Elizabeth I's reign but due to his extravagance and spending money on gifts for his friends and courtiers, it turns into a £1 000 000 debt by the end of his reign. -
The Gunpowder Plot
A group of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I on November 5, 1605. The plot was foiled, and the conspirators were executed. -
King James’ Bible
It is a new english translation of the bible. This is one of the only important changes in religion during his reign. -
Period: to
The Thirty Years' War
This war is the war King James I was preparing for by begging the Parliament for money to finance it basically. However, he died at the beginning of it, hence, his son Charles I was the one who was mostly charge of it. England suffered many military defeats and was also at war with both France and Spain. This war made a huge stain on finances and the need to raise the troops (50 000) had a huge negative impact on the local population. Therefore, this war also caused distrust in the King. -
Period: to
Charles I's reign
His reign also had some major issues. The King believed in the divine right of Kings, he was also a part of a minority wind of Anglicans which was a big no no ! Because people thought he might be secretly more catholic than anything, plus, he was married to a french princess who was absolutist and catholic. This King too had his fair share of tensions with the Parliament leading to a literal tyranny from him. Just like his father James I, he was extravagant and often crashed with the Parliament. -
Petition of Rights
The Parliament had enough of Charles I's attitude. Therefore, they decided to write a petition on the rights the King had and the limitation of these rights. He also had to acknowledge the illegality of his doings (extra Parliament taxation, imprisonment without trial, billeting, martial law). The King did sign it but reluctantly as he was furious. However, he suspended the Parliament seating upon hearing the impeachment of Lord Buckingham, his advisor and friend. -
Three Resolutions
These resolutions declared that whoever tried to bring in “Popery or Arminianism” or to alter the protestant forms of the Church of England was an enemy of the Kingdom as well as anyone advising the King to collect custom duties without Parliament’s consent. This was not well received at all by the King as it was an act of open defiance which led to him declaring there would be no more parliaments. It was the beginning of the Personal Rule. -
Period: to
The Personal Rule
It was the period in which King Charles I ruled alone without seeking the Parliament. It was said to be tyranny. He changed some protestant ways as he favoured the Armanians led by Archbishop Laud. It seemed as if they returned to Catholicism for many Protestants. -
The Case of Burton, Prynne and Bastwick
This case illustrates the Personal Rule. Three men wrote pamphlets attacking the Archbishop Laud for which they were punished by being put in the pillory and having their ears cut off. -
Period: to
The Scottish Crisis
This crisis began because the King tried to draw the Church of Scotland (Calvinist) and the Church of England (Anglican) which displeased many but he also attempted to impose the New Prayer Book. During its reading, a riot started with a woman throwing her stool at the preacher. It soon turned into a widespread rebellion known as the Bishop's Wars. The Scots emerged victorious and since the King had to pay the cost of the Scots' army, he had no choice but to call for Parliament again. -
The Irish Rebellion
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 was a Catholic uprising against Protestant settlers in Ireland, because of land dispossession (plantation policy) and religious persecution (because Ireland is Catholic). Rumours of massacres fueled anti-Catholic sentiment in England, worsening tensions that led to the English Civil War. -
The Militia Act
It was necessary to raise an army against the Irish, however, the Parliament didn't want the King to be in control of it so they passed this Act, declaring that the Parliament would appoint a general of their choice. It took away the right of the Kimg to appoint whoever he wanted. -
The Grand Remonstrance
The Grand Remonstrance was a 1641 imported document voted by Parliament which listed grievances against Charles I’s policies. It deepened divisions between Charles I and Parliament, forming two groups in the Parliament, the Parliamentarians and the royalists, accelerating the descent into the English Civil War. -
Charles I declared war on Parliament
After his failed attempt of imprisoning 5 members of parliament on January of the same year. This act showed that there was no peace that could form between the King and the Parliament. They then presented the 19 propositions to the King and after that he decided to declare war on them. -
Period: to
The first Civil War and the victory of the Parliament
The civil war costed the lives of 190 000 Englishmen. It was the Royalists("Cavaliers") against the Parliamentarians ("Roundheads"). Forming a new army, the Parliamentarians won the civil war and disbanded the new model army without paying them, causing mutiny. The new Model Army seized the King. -
England, a Commonwealth
After these events and the Charles I's execution, monarchy and House of Lords is abolished, England is declared a Commonwealth from then on. -
Charles I's execution
After escaping from army custody in November 1647 and leading a foreign army (scots' army) against England during the Second Civil war starting January 1648, he was defeated by Cromwell the same year. The King was then put on trial for high treason and executed. -
Period: to
The Interregnum
The Interregnum (1649-1660) was the period between the execution of Charles I and the Restoration of Charles II, with England becoming a republic. First, there was the Commonwealth (1649-1653) and later Cromwell’s Protectorate (1653-1658). Cromwell's rule centralized power, suppressed Irish and Scottish uprisings, and made strict Puritan reforms. After his death, political instability led to the monarchy’s restoration in 1660. -
Blasphemy Act
The Blasphemy Act of 1650, passed under Cromwell’s Commonwealth, aimed to suppress heretical and blasphemous beliefs. It targeted sects like Quakers, imposing harsh penalties for denying Catholic doctrines for example. -
The end of the Commonwealth
There was slow progress with electoral reform and there were a lot of tensions between the Army and the Parliament. Cromwell dissolved the Parliament and later on, ended the Commonwealth. -
Period: to
The Cromwellian Protectorate
The Cromwellian Protectorate was a period of rule under Cromwell as Lord Protector following the English Civil Wars. It replaced the monarchy with a republican system under the Instrument of Government (1653). Cromwell ruled with military support, enforcing Puritan reforms. During the Protectorate Cromwell won the war against Catholic Spain. However, he was targeted by Royalists (Penruddock’s Rising in Wiltshire). His death led to political instability which led to monarchy's restoration. -
Period: to
The Restoration
The Restoration marked the return of the monarchy under Charles II after Cromwell's rule. The monarchy, Church of England, and Parliament were re-established, balancing royal authority with parliamentary power. That was what was agreed upon but Charles II lied ! -
Period: to
The Clarendon Code
It's a series of laws passed during the first 5 years of Restoration. The religious groups that did not belong to the Anglican Church were repressed. -
Period: to
Charles II's reign
Charles II's reign restored the monarchy, Church of England, and parliamentary system after the Interregnum. However, he had 100 people who had signed Charles I’s death warrant executed and he ordered to have Cromwell's head stay on a spike (for 25 years). Moreover, religious tensions, fears of absolutism, and tensions between the king and the Parliament were still happening. He faced major events like the Great Fire of London, and the Exclusion Crisis. -
The Act of Uniformity
All ministers had to swear to conform to the Book of Prayer. -
Outbreak of Plague
The Plague was a mortal disease that costed the lives of thousands. It was mostly the poor who died, the rich who had the money would flee London. The King also fled the city leaving his subjects to die. -
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was yet another disaster the King had to face. It is said to have started in a bakery on Pudding Lane and spread rapidly because of wooden buildings and strong winds. It destroyed much of the city, including many homes and St. Paul’s Cathedral. There were few deaths but tens of thousands of people were made homeless. It led to improved urban planning, stricter building codes, and the rebuilding of London in stone. -
The Popish Plot
It's a plot rumoured to be organised by the French to murder Charles II and replace him by his Catholic brother James II. There was a real political crisis because some wanted James II to be King like The Tories, his supporters, others were afraid of this and were his opponents the Whigs. The Parliament also was against James II succeeding his brother as he was a Catholic. -
Period: to
The Exclusion Crisis
The Exclusion Crisis was a political conflict in England over whether to exclude James, Duke of York, a Catholic, from the line of succession. The Parliament wanted to debar James II. However, by doing so, they defyied Charles II as he was the King, the one who had the right to change the succesion. He was unhappy with this and dissolved the Parliament. The crisis ended with James inheriting the throne in 1685 after Charles II's death. -
Period: to
James II's reign
There were a lot of tensions as this new King was a Catholic. Many were afraid that a return to Catholicism awaited them or that civil wars would return. However, he was old and only had a protestant daughter Mary, married to a protestant, the Dutch William of Orange. But ! In 1688, the King's second wife gave birth to a son, a Catholic heir, a threat to Protestantism and to the Parliament’s powers. That led to the Glorious Revolution. -
Period: to
The Glorious Revolution
In 1688, the Parliament asked the King's son-in-law, William of Orange, to invade England and seize the crown which he did. He landed with an army of 15 000 and met no resistance, James II chose to flee to France. It was as if he abdicated so William of Orange was made King Willam III. Without shedding blood, he made the former king flee his own kingdom and became king alongside his wife, Mary. The liberties of English subjects were reinforced and finally there could be a stable political system -
Toleration Act
It established religious pluralism and freedom of worship for all Protestants. -
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights limited the monarch's power for the first time. It listed King James' misdeeds and the Parliament's power and rights like needing its consent for setting new laws and having control over finances and the army. The King was now mostly the Head of the State and didn't have all powers, he is limited. Moreover, no Catholic could inherit the throne anymore. -
Period: to
William III and Mary II's joint reign
Their reign marks a new beginning for the king and the Parliament. England appears to finally be stable. However, Mary II dies in 1694 from smallpox. William III is then sole ruler until 1702 when he dies. -
The Act of Settlement
As King William III and Mary II had no surviving children, the only potential Stuart successors were Catholic, hence, the Act of Settlement ensured a Protestant succesion. -
Act of Union between the England and Scotland
It is the Creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain: England (+ Whales) and Scotland. Under Queen Anne, there was the ratification of this act making it a single kingdom, Scotland lost its Parliament but gained seats in the House of Commons and House of Lords and also kept its Prebysterian Church and own laws.