-
Period: 1509 to 1547
The Reign of King Henry VIII.
King Henry VIII created the Anglican church and paved the way for Protestants. He also rejected the Pope's influence and strengthened the King's power. -
Oct 31, 1517
The Ninety-Five Theses by Martin Luther.
Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the the University in Wittenberg. This document is considered one of the foundational texts of the Protestant Reformation and marked the start of the European Reformation. -
1526
The Tyndale Bible
William Tyndale translated the New Testament into English for the first time. Before it was written in LATIN! -
1534
The Act of Supremacy
This Act laid the foundation for the creation of the Anglican Church and the king was made "supreme head of the Church of England”. -
1536
Pilgrimage of Grace
It was a six-month rebellion in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire that protested against the dissolution of monasteries and the Reformation. They demanded the restoration of the Pope and the reinstatement of Mary Tudor to the royal succession. They were the greatest rebellions ever faced by a Tudor monarch! -
Period: 1547 to 1553
The Reign of King Edward VI
Son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. During his reign, a series of measures pushed England towards Protestantism. -
1549
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer, written in English, served as a guide for public worship. It was a revision of the traditional mass-book, standardizing the liturgy and practices for the Church of England. -
Period: 1553 to 1558
The Reign of Queen Mary I
Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She managed to restore Catholicism and repealed the Protestant legislation put in place by her father and half-brother(Edward VI). -
Period: 1558 to
The Reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She stabilised the Church of England by establishing principles that still exist today. She rule for 45 years and did so without ever getting married. Her reign is often associated with a golden age for the country. -
1559
The Second Act of Supremacy
This act declared Queen Elizabeth I as the “Supreme Governor of the Church of England” and abolished the authority of the Pope. This also reaffirmed the monarch’s control over religious matters in England, solidifying the break from Roman Catholicism. -
1559
The Act of Uniformity
This act laid down rules about religious services and required every parish to use the Book of Common Prayer. Additionally, people who did not attend an Anglican service were fined. -
1570
Pope Pius V Issued the Papal Bull.
The papal bull “Regnans in Excelsis” declared Queen Elizabeth I to be a heretic and officially excommunicated her from the Catholic Church. This made her a target for Catholic plots, as many saw her removal as justified or even necessary to restore Catholic rule in England. -
The Babington plot
It was the final event that led to the execution of Mary Stuart. A group of young Catholics plotted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and place Mary Stuart on the throne. However, Francis Walsingham uncovered the plan by decoding a secret letter exchanged between Mary and the conspirators. Mary’s active endorsement of the plot and her direct involvement forced Elizabeth to order her execution. -
The Execution of Queen Mary Stuart.
Mary Stuart was executed in 1587 at Fotheringhay Castle, convicted of complicity in the Babington Plot. At her execution, she wore a bright red dress—the color of Catholic martyrs—making a powerful political statement. She recited her final prayers in Latin and declared that “I shed my blood for the ancient Catholic religion.” Her choice of attire and her final words underscored her commitment to her faith and her role as a symbol of Catholic resistance against Protestant England. -
The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada or the Invincible Armada was defeated by England, who benefited from superior resources, manpower, and favorable weather conditions. This victory was a significant event in Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, serving as powerful propaganda for her as the monarch. It also gave her an advantage in the religious battle, as the storm that helped defeat the Spanish fleet was interpreted as a sign of God’s favor for Protestanism and divine protection over Elizabeth's England. -
the Union Act of 1801.
This act united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland, creating a new political entity known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.