Reformation Timeline

  • 1517

    Ninety-Five Theses by Martin Luther

    Marin Luther finds out about the sale of indulgences and is really opposed by it. He writes the Ninety-Five Theses.
  • 1521

    The pope excommunicates Luther

    The pope throws Luther out of the church. Luther begins to translate the Bible into German.
  • 1522

    Huldrych Zwingli in Switzerland

    Reformation spreads to Switzerland where Huldrych Zwingli takes the lead. He believes that priests should marry and he opposed religous fasting. His and Luther's theological beliefs were similar but not the same.
  • 1525

    Reformers called Anabaptists emerge

    Luther disagrees with church on issues of theology creating anabaptist movement who believes in pacifism, adult baptism, and separation of church and state.
  • 1531

    Reformation spreads to Sweden

    Laurentius Petri the leader of reformation in Sweden persuades many to convert to Lutherism.
  • 1534

    England’s King Henry VIII breaks with the pope

    England creates their own church for what seems more political power rather than religous reasons.
  • 1536

    John Calvin's importance

    John Calvin writes his influential Institutes of the Christian Religion, which introduces Calvinism, describing that salvation is predetermined and people who convert are chosen by god to be protected by their savior Jesus Christ.
  • 1541

    Petri translates bible to swedish

    Petri and others follows Luther's example and translates bible.
  • 1545

    Organization of Council of Trent

    The pope creates this group that passes reforms of the roman church creating the Counter-Reformation. Their goal is to improve and renew the church. For instance, priests receive more education and better training.
  • 1547

    Protestant religion in Scotland.

    John Knox establishes the protestant religion in Scotland.
  • 1572

    St Bartholomew's Day Massacre

    Marriage of Margret of Valois and Henry of Navarre resulted in violence of Catholics and Protestants in France.
  • Edict of Nantes

    Henry IV granted protestants in France the right to private worship. France is slowly moving towards absolutism.