E7225e2b 19ce 48e1 b988 a7275a5e59a2

Introduction to British History

  • Period: 1509 to 1547

    Henry VIII's reign

  • Oct 31, 1517

    The Ninety-Five Thesis

    The Ninety-Five Thesis
    Devastating critique of the indulgences nailed to the door of the university in Wittenberg by german monk Martin Luther.
    We could say that it marks the start of the European Reformation
  • 1526

    Tyndale bible

    Tyndale bible
    The first translation of the Bible (New Testament) in english.
    -Most important principles of Protestantism are private prayer and Bible study, thus, vernacular translation is very important.
    Before, it was in Latin and was therefore interpreted solely by the members of the clergy !!
  • 1527

    The King’s “Great Matter”

    The King’s “Great Matter”
    King Henry VIII’s royal divorce with Catherine of Aragon.
    Triggered the King’s relations with the Pope and thus England’s relations with The Roman Catholic Church
  • 1534

    Act of supremacy

    Act of supremacy
    Founds the Church of England/ Anglican Church
    King Henry VIII becomes Supreme Head of Church
    -Starting event of the schism.
    -Break with the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope.
  • 1536

    Pilgrimage of grace

    Pilgrimage of grace
    Rebellions that interrupted the dissolution of monasteries. They lasted 6 months, and were the greatest rebellions ever faced by a Tudor King.
  • 1537

    English Bible allowed in Churches

    Soon mandatory !!
  • Period: 1547 to 1553

    Edward VI's reign

  • 1549

    Book of common prayer

    Book of common prayer
    Revision of the mass-book, it led religious services.
    Edward was fiercly protestant.
  • Period: 1553 to 1558

    Mary I’s reign

    Fiercely catholic, "Bloody Mary" restored Catholicism and repealed the protestant legislation of her father and half-brother in 18 months.
    She persecuted Protestants between 1555 and 1558.
  • Period: 1558 to

    Elizabeth I’s reign

    A lot is at stakes when Elizabeth’s reign starts, after 25 years of religious changes, the most important thing for Elizabeth who is a Protestant 25 year-old unmarried woman is to appease religious tensions and establish her legitimacy as a monarch.
  • 1559

    Act of uniformity

    Act of uniformity
    This piece of legislation aimed to establish the protestant religious belief of the nation.
    -It made it mandatory for every parish to use The Book of Common prayer.
    -People who didn’t attend English services were fined.
  • 1559

    The act of supremacy

    This Act of Supremacy concerns church organization, it abolished the Pope’s authority and restored the Queen authority over the Church.
    This piece of legislation marked a break from “Bloody Mary”’s Catholic Restoration and made Elizabeth the Supreme Governor of The Church of England.
  • 1569

    The Northern Rebellion

    The rise of Protestantism in Elizabethan England triggered many Catholics who started a rebellion against religious reformers. More than 6000 insurgents attempted to replace the Queen Elizabeth by Mary Queen Of Scots.
  • 1570

    Pope Pius V excommunicates Elizabeth I.

    Pope Pius V excommunicates Elizabeth I.
    Since her reform was moderate, he long thought that she would restore Catholicism, but she never did. In his Papal bull, he calls Queen Elizabeth “the so-call queen”, reinforcing the already very existing questioning of her legitimacy as a monarch.
  • 1571

    Treasons Act

    Treasons Act
    It is treason for anyone to say that Elizabeth is not the true Queen of England and Wales.
  • 1581

    1581 Act

    Provided the death penalty for anyone converting or already converted to Catholicism.
  • Babington Plot/ Execution of Mary Stuart

    Babington Plot/ Execution of Mary Stuart
    A group of young Catholics wanted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth in order to put Mary Stuart on the throne. Strategy that was discovered by Francis Walsingham and resulted in Mary’s death.
  • Poor laws

    These laws that made the central and local gouvernements responsible of helping the poor were a consequence of the rise of the population and the disbandment of monasteries. They were nonetheless very harsh as they created a distinction between the «deserving poor» and «undeserving poor». The first one was enacted in 1553 and the latest change was made in 1601. NB: This system remained in place until the 19th century.