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Period: 1509 to 1547
Reign of Henry VIII
Henry VIII is remembered for his complicated relationships with his 6 wives (with 2 of them executed) and most importantly because his desire to divorce with Catherine of Aragon (which is the reason why schism happened with Rome). -
Oct 31, 1517
The Ninety-Five Theses
The German monk, Martin Luther, wrote the famous text entitled "The Ninety-Five Theses". This text marks the start of the European Reformation. It denounced the Indulgences and abuses that the Catholic Church were doing. -
1526
the Tyndale bible
William Tyndall translated the New Testament into English and it was published in England. -
1529
Pope rejected Henry's petition for divorce
Henry VIII wanted an annul his wedding with Catherine of Aragon for three reasons : 1) His wife’s failure to bear a son (only one surviving daughter: Mary Tudor)
2) Her support of the Habsburgs, when Henry wanted an alliance with France
3) He was in love with Anne Boleyn However the Pope rejected his petition. -
Jan 25, 1533
Henry VIII's marriage with Ann Boleyn
This marriage was followed by a legislation entitled "act of succession" that required his subjects to accept the King's marriage to his second wife, Anne Boleyn, as 'undoubted, true, sincere and perfect'. Henry's annulment from his first wife, Catherine, had forced his break with the Roman Catholic Church. -
Period: 1534 to
Early Modern Period
This period was a dramatic and tumultuous chapter in the history of the British Isles. -
Nov 3, 1534
Act of Supremacy
At this point, the Anglican Church was now created.
Since this act was established, kings was made "Supreme Head of the Church of England" (this is also when the schism happened). Therefore, Henry VIII was made "Supreme Head of the Church of England". -
1537
Establishment of an English Bible
Henry VIII gave his permission for the establishment of an English Bible and not a Latin one. It soon became mandatory in every church. -
Period: 1545 to 1560
Council of Trent
This Council was held in the Italian city of Trent (symbol of Counter Reformation).
The Roman Catholic church attempted to correct some of the abuses of the church and harshly condemned protestant heresies. The Pope’s hostility to the Elizabethan religious settlement was growing and he instructed English Catholics not to attend Anglican church services. -
Period: 1547 to 1553
Reign of Edward VI
During his reign, Edward VI continued the religious trajectory that his dad began. He reinforced the protestantism and introduced the Book of Common Prayer. -
1549
Book of Common Prayer
This book was introduced under Edward VI's reign and it eradicated Roman Catholic practices, marriage of clergy were now allowed, the Prayer Book was imposed consequently it led to rebellions in Cornwall and Devon. -
Period: 1553 to 1558
Reign of Mary I
Mary I was the first Queen of England. Since her mother Catherine of Aragon was a Catholic, she decided to repeal the previous legislation. -
Period: 1555 to 1558
Bloody Mary
Her attempt to restore Catholicism led to a mass of persecution of protestants. Over 200 Protestants went to the stake (were burnt alive). Protestants were forced to leave the country and fled to the Continent : they were the “Marian exiles”. -
1559
Act of Uniformity & Supremacy
- The Act of Uniformity established that every parish had to use the Book of Common Prayer and people who did not attend an Anglican service were fined.
- The Act of Supremacy abolished the authority of the Pope, restored the authority of the Queen over the Church and Elizabeth I became “Supreme Governor of the Church of England”.
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Period: 1563 to 1571
39 articles of faith : Doctrine
It stated the doctrine of the Church and three important changes :
- A new ecclesiology
- A new doctrine of Salvation
- A new definition of sacraments and of the mass
still in use today -
1569
The Nothern Rebellion
This Rebellion, led by the Catholics, was against religious reforms. It attempted to replace Queen Elizabeth by Mary, Queen of Scots. The revolt was led by the Earls of Westmorland and Northumberland. However, it was crushed. -
Feb 25, 1570
Papal Bull “Regnans in Excelsis”
Pope Pius V issued the papal bull in which it called Elizabeth derogatory names and (almost) gave Catholics the permission to kill her and thus not being considered as a criminal by Rome. -
1571
The Treason Act
The 1571 Treasons Act was made in response of the "Papal Bull" issued by the Pope. It made it clear that anyone who says that Elizabeth was not the true Queen of England and Wales was accused of treason. -
1581
the 1581 Act
This act provided for the death penalty for any person converting, or already converted to Catholicism. It was now forbidden to participate or celebrate the Catholic Mass and Anglican services were compulsory: £20 per month fine. -
Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots was seen as threat by Elizabeth I because Mary was Elizabeth’s cousin, and was Elizabeth’s legitimate heir. Her closeness to France and Spain endangered the English kingdom and most importantly to Catholics, she was the legitimate heir. She represented hope for a return back to roman Catholicism . The discovery of the Babington plot (1586) by Francis Walsingham gave Elizabeth her final answer on what to do to Mary Stuart : she needed to be executed. -
The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
Philip II, the Catholic King of Spain supported several plots against Elizabeth. In retaliation, and to support the cause of Protestantism, Elizabeth supported the Dutch Revolt against Spain. As a result, the King of Spain attempted to invade England. It was a complete defeat, England was victorious -
First act of union
This act united the English kingdom and The Scottish kingdom, thus creating "Great Britain". -
Act of union
This act united the kingdom of Great Britain and the kingdom of Ireland. Thus the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is created.