-
Period: 1509 to 1547
Reign of Henry VIII
-
1517
The Ninety-Five Theses
Famous text written by Martin Luther, a german monk who denounced priests' practices, especially the indulgences. Its publication, seen as a devastating critique, marked the start of the European Reformation. -
1526
The Tyndale Bible
Translation of the Bible in English by William Tyndale. -
1534
Act of Supremacy
Religious schism which led to the creation of the Church of England (also called the Anglican Church) + Henry VIII became the unique and supreme head of the Church -
Period: 1536 to 1541
Dissolution of the monasteries
Henry VIII dissolved every monasteries in England, which he considered as "bastions of popery". This had a huge economical and social impact on the population. -
Period: 1536 to 1537
Pilgrimage of Grace
Interrupting the dissolution process, a 6 months rebellion took place in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The insurgents, which came from all social classes, were against the dissolution and the Reformation. They also demanded the restoration of the Pope and of Mary Tudor to the Royal Succesion, as well as economic grievances. -
Period: 1547 to 1553
Reign of Edward VI
-
1549
The Book of Common Prayer
The revision of the mass-book led to the publication of the Book of Common Prayer. Its imposition provoked rebellions. -
Period: 1553 to 1558
Reign of Mary I
-
Period: 1555 to 1558
Bloody Mary
Mary I send over 200 heretics to the stake. Many protestants thus left the country for the Continent, they were called the "Marian exiles". -
Period: 1558 to
Reign of Elizabeth I
-
1559
Act of Supremacy
Elizabeth I wanted to return to Protestantism. To do so, she restored the Act of Supremacy which abolished the Pope's authority : the Queen became "Supreme Governor of the Church of England". -
1559
Act of Uniformity
Establishment of the use of the Book of Common Prayer in every parish + people who didn't attend an Anglican service were fined -
Period: 1563 to 1571
The 39 Articles of faith
Articles that states three important changes in the doctrine of the Church : a new ecclesiology (conception of the Church), a new doctrine of salvation as well as a new definition of sacraments and of the mass. These statements are still in use to this day. -
1569
The Northern Rebellion
A revolt emerged against religious reforms. Led by the Earls of Westmorland and Northumberland, it attempted to replace the Queen by Mary, the Queen of Scots. -
1570
The Pope's "Regnans in Excelsis"
The Pope issues the papal bull "Regnans in Excelsis" in which he excommunicates Elizabeth I. Calling her the "so-called queen", he also gave Catholics licence to kill the Queen with the certainty that it wouldn't be seen as a crime. -
1571
The Treasons Act
In response to the papal bull that excommunicated her, Elizabeth I considered as a treason anyone who says that she isn't the true Queen of England and Wales. -
1581
Repression of Catholics
The Repression of Catholics, or the 1581 act, stated that : any person converting or already converted to Catholicism was destined to a death penalty, any participation or celebration to the Catholic Mass was forbidden and that Anglican services were compulsory (or the person will receive a £20 fine per month). During the repression, which last 26 years until the Queen's death (from 1577 to 1603), 163 people were killed. -
The Babington plot
During her whole reign, Elizabeth defended herself against many plots. And many of them attempted to replace her by Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. The Babington plot is part of them. In fact, young catholics planned to kill the Queen, but their strategies were discovered by Francis Walsingham who deciphered a coded letter between Mary and the group. She was thus convicted for complicity and sentenced to death. -
Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
Involved in civil war in Scotland, Mary Stuart sought refuge near her cousin, Elizabeth I. As she represented a threat to the Queen and the English Kingdom, she was kept under close watch for 19 years before she was executed for complicity (see the Babington plot for more details). -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
Philip II King of Spain attempted to invade England because the Queen supported the Dutch revolt against his country. England emerged victorious for material, strategical and human advantage. This event acted as a reaffirmation of the English nation's and Elizabeth's power. -
The Tilburry Speech
This speech was made in order to rally the troops preparing to repel the invasion of the Spanish Armada. It embodied Elizabeth's strategy to get back legitimacy to her subjects : she is not an ordinary woman but "The Prince" who was always devoted to his people and kingdom. -
Union Act
Creation of the United Kingdom with the union of Great Britain and Ireland kingdoms