The Protestant Reformation

Henry VIII Becomes King of England

Aug 22, 1485

Henry VIII is named King of England, he will lead his kingdom through the period of the English Reformation.

95 Theses

Oct 31, 1517

Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the doors of the Wittenburg Cathedral. His plan to shed light on the indulgences and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, unknowingly however, his actions gave birth to a major movement in history, the Protestant Refromation.

Diet of Worms

Jan 28, 1521

Luther appears before the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles V, to to answer charges of heresy. He refused to recant his beliefs and actions, he is then formally excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X.

Henry VIII is Named "Defender of the Faith"

Oct 1, 1521

After writing the Defence of the Seven Sacraments, (Assertio Septem Sacramentorum) in opposition to Luther's views, King Henry VIII is rewarded with the title Defender of the Faith by Pope Leo X.

King James Bible is Written

Jan 1, 1526

William Tyndale writes a translation of the New Testament Bible in English.

Marburg Colloquay

Oct 1, 1529

Luther meets Ulrich Zwingli, a Swiss Reformer, to discuss the issues revolving around the presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. Neither of them could come to an agreement. Luther defended his view of a Sacramental Union, and opposed Zwingli's more symbolic view.

Augsburg Confession

Jun 25, 1530

The Augsburg Confession (Confessio Augustana) is published, outlining the Lutheran theology and practices.

John Calvin Breaks Away From The Catholic Church

Sep 2, 1530

John Calvin publishes his story of Systematic Theology, and institutes of the Christian Religion, in opposition of the Catholic Religion.

English Reformation Begins

Jan 1, 1533

After Henry VIII marriage Catherine of Aragon is declared defiant of the Catholic Church by Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn.

Society Of Jesus

Aug 15, 1534

Ignatius of Loyola founds the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuit Order in hopes of counter-reformation. Many parts of Hungary Poland and Germany are quickly reconverted from Protestantism to Catholicism.

Act of Supremacy

Nov 1, 1534

Henry VIII is named the supreme head of the Church in England, which he then separates from the Roman Catholic Church.

Execution of Sir Thomas More

Jul 6, 1535

Henry VII orders the execution of Sir Thomas More, on the grounds that he refused to support the English Reformation.

William Tyndale's Execution

Oct 6, 1536

William Tyndale, who wrote the King James Bible, is burnt at the stake on the orders of Henry VII heresy.

Council Of Trent Begins

Sep 3, 1545

The Council of Trent was held between 1545 and 1563. It was held by the Roman Catholic Church in Trento and Bologna, Italy. It was a series of councils that proved to be some of the most essential to the Roman Catholic Church's efforts against reformation.

Peace Of Augsburg

Sep 3, 1555

A treaty is drafted and signed by the Holy Roman Empire granting Lutherans permission to practice their religion, as long as it followed the principal of "Whose region, his religion".

Edict of Nantes

Apr 13, 1598

The Edict of Nantes, which was issued by Henry IV of France, gave Calvinist Protestants in France major and substantial rights. This all took place in a nation that was still mostly Catholic.

King James Bible Pubished

Jan 1, 1611

William Tyndale's English translation of The New Testament is finally published as the King James Bible.