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Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther - Ninety Five Theses
Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer and monk, nailed his Ninety-Five theses, a critique of the indulgences, to the door of the university in Wittenberg which caused him to be excommunicated. -
1526
The Tyndale Bible
William Tyndale translated The New Testament into english, allowing Protestants to establish a personal relationship with God through private prayer and Bible study. -
1534
Act Of Supremacy - The Protestant Reformation
King Henry VIII's break with the Roman Catholic Church led to his designation as the "Supreme Head of Church of England", and led to the Anglican Church. -
Period: 1536 to 1537
The Pilgrimage of Grace
The Pilgrimage of Grace was one of the greatest rebellions against a Tudor monarch, lasting six months. In which Catholics protested against the dissolution of monasteries and demanded the restoration of the Pope and Mary Tudor to the royal succession. -
1547
Edward VI: The Young King
After Henry VIII's death, his only male heir ascended to the throne at the age of nine years old, continuing his Protestant legacy. -
1553
The Catholic Restoration
After her half-brother's death, Mary I, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, ascended to the throne and made it her mission to restore Catholicism in England. -
Period: 1555 to 1558
Bloody Mary's Catholic Restoration
Mary I earned the nickname “Bloody Mary” due to her persecution of Protestants during her reign. Over two hundred Protestants were executed, forcing many to flee to the Continent. -
1558
The Protestant Reformation
When Elizabeth I, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's daughter, ascended to the throne, she restored Protestantism in England, continuing her father's legacy. -
Mary of Scots Execution
Mary Stuart, also known as the Queen of Scots, was executed after being found guilty of plotting to assassinate her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. This conspiracy is also known as the Babington Plot (1586) -
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
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James I
James I ascended to the throne following the death of Elizabeth I. As the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, he became the first monarch of the Stuart Dynasty, ruling both England and Scotland. -
The Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot is a conspiracy organised by a small group of Catholics to blow up the Parliament and kill the King -
The Great Contract
This contract suggested that Parliament provide the king a fixed annual income, freeing him from needing to call Parliament for financial aid. However, Members of Parliament feared it would erode their power over taxation and make the king financially independent. When the House of Commons rejected the plan, James dismissed Parliament. -
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The Third Years War
Frederick V’s acceptance of the Bohemian crown angered the Holy Roman Emperor and Spain, leading to conflict. -
Charles I
Charles I ascended to the throne after James I death, making him the second monarch of the Stuart Dynasty -
Petition of Rights
Parliament demanded that the king recognize limits to his authority. They objected to extra-parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, martial law, and imprisonment without trial. Charles signed it reluctantly but soon dissolved Parliament after tensions escalated over attempts to impeach his advisor, Lord Buckingham. -
Three Resolutions
These resolutions declared that anyone attempting to bring Catholic or Arminian practices into the Church of England or advising the king to bypass Parliament for revenue was an enemy of the kingdom. Charles responded by imprisoning the MPs, dissolving Parliament, and initiating his Personal Rule. -
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The Personal Rule
During this period, Charles I ruled without calling Parliament. Historians refer to this period as the "Eleven Years' Tyranny." -
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The Scottish Crisis
Charles I introduced the Book of Common Prayer in Scotland, sparking riots. A key event was the 1637 riot at St. Giles's Cathedral, where a woman famously threw a stool at the preacher. This led to widespread rebellion known as the Bishops' Wars. -
Treaty of Ripon
The Scots eventually invaded England and won the Bishops' Wars, forcing Charles to sign the Treaty of Ripon (1640), where he had to pay the Scots’ army costs. -
The Great Remontrance
The Grand Remonstrance summarized Charles I’s misrule and demanded revolutionary changes:
Parliament to select the king’s ministers.
Parliament to control the military.
Reform of the Church of England under parliamentary oversight. -
The Irish Rebellion
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Outbreak of the First Civil War
Charles I formally declares war on Parliament. -
New Model Army
A disciplined, centralized army of Parliamentarians with strong religious fervor. -
Battle of Naseby
A decisive Parliamentarian victory weakens the Royalists significantly. -
Royalists Surrender
Charles I surrenders to the Scots, who hand him over to Parliament. -
Mutiny in the New Model Army
Soldiers seize the King after Parliament tries to disband them without pay. -
Charles's Escape
Charles escapes and allies with the Scots. He promises to establish Presbyterianism in exchange for support, sparking the Second Civil War. -
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Second Civil War
Cromwell defeats the Royalists decisively -
Establishment of the Commonwealth
Monarchy and the House of Lords are abolished; England becomes a republic. After the king's regicide -
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The Interregnum
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Execution of Charles I
Convicted of high treason, Charles I is beheaded. -
The restoration of Monarchy
Charles II issues the Declaration of Breda, monarchy restored. -
James II
James II becomes king, raising fears of Catholic absolutism. -
The Glorious Revolution
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William of Orange Invasion
William of Orange lands with an army; James II flees to France -
William and Mary to the throne
William and Mary become joint monarchs -
Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights, limiting the monarch's power and ensuring parliamentary supremacy. -
Act of Settlement
Act of Settlement ensures Protestant succession. -
Act of Union
Act of Union between England and Scotland creates the United Kingdom of Great Britain.