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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. -
William Tyndale translated The New Testament into english, allowing Protestants to establish a personal relationship with God through private prayer and Bible study. -
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. -
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.
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After Henry VIII's death, his only male heir ascended to the throne at the age of nine years old, continuing his Protestant legacy. -
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. -
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.
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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 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)
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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 is a conspiracy organised by a small group of Catholics to blow up the Parliament and kill the King -
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. -
Frederick V’s acceptance of the Bohemian crown angered the Holy Roman Emperor and Spain, leading to conflict.
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Charles I ascended to the throne after James I death, making him the second monarch of the Stuart Dynasty -
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.
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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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During this period, Charles I ruled without calling Parliament. Historians refer to this period as the "Eleven Years' Tyranny."
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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.
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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 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. -
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Charles I formally declares war on Parliament.
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A disciplined, centralized army of Parliamentarians with strong religious fervor.
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A decisive Parliamentarian victory weakens the Royalists significantly. -
Charles I surrenders to the Scots, who hand him over to Parliament.
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Soldiers seize the King after Parliament tries to disband them without pay.
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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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Cromwell defeats the Royalists decisively
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Monarchy and the House of Lords are abolished; England becomes a republic. After the king's regicide
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Convicted of high treason, Charles I is beheaded. -
Charles II issues the Declaration of Breda, monarchy restored.
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James II becomes king, raising fears of Catholic absolutism. -
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William of Orange lands with an army; James II flees to France
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William and Mary become joint monarchs -
Bill of Rights, limiting the monarch's power and ensuring parliamentary supremacy.
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Act of Settlement ensures Protestant succession.
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Act of Union between England and Scotland creates the United Kingdom of Great Britain.