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Period: 1509 to 1547
Henry VIII's reign
Henry the VIII is the starting point of the break with the Roman Catholic Church. His will to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon was objected by the Pope, which led him to separate the England Church from the Catholic religion. From then on, separation from ancient Catholic doctrines grew, the rise of Protestantism began, and religious figures like Martin Luther aim at spreading the new Christianism practises. -
Oct 31, 1517
The Ninety-Five Theses of Martin Luther
Without any doubt, the publication of these theses introduce to Europe the brand new services of upcoming Protestantism, awhile rejecting the former ones of catholicism. The objection to indulgences and the doctrine of Purgatory are the finest exemple.
Picture taken from the London Library collection website, manuscript to have been printed in 1517. -
1526
Tyndale's New Testament
Tyndale's Bible, following the path of Martin Luther, is the first translation of the New Testament from Greek into vernacular language (English), which makes the religious book easily understandable for the laity. The fact that it was printed in mass production, makes the access even easier, and allows the revised Bible to be spread in England. Picture taken from the British Library website, represents one of the three original copies printed in Germany, 1526. -
Nov 3, 1534
Act of Supremacy
Subsequently to his "Great Matter", the King puts together the Act of Supremacy, which considerably diminishes the Pope's legitimacy and superpower, for the very first time.
As a substitute, the King of England becomes Supreme Head of the new Church of England, pillar of Anglicanism.This is a step forward towards the religious schism. Picture is a painting of Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury who supported the Reformation. Artist unknown. -
Period: 1536 to 1537
Pilgrimage of Grace
Rebellions of Catholics against the demolition and dissolution of monasteries by the monarchy. One of their claims is to restore the Pope as head of the Church. -
1549
Edward VI's Book of Common Prayer
Book in vernacular language (English) used by Anglican churches, partly wrote by Thomas Cranmer. picture : Title page from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, University of Oxford website. -
Period: 1553 to 1558
Mary Tudor's reign
Mary Tudor, daughter of Catherine of Aragon, is supported by the Catholics, and especially by the Pope thanks to her mother's legitimacy. She persecuted Protestants who had to practice their religion in secret, otherwise they would be sent to the stake, in public ignominy. -
Period: 1558 to
Elizabethan reign
A key period in the Reformation, for that she established a religious settlement, a compromise between Catholic demands and Protestant ones. Indeed the "Middle Way" sets up Protestant features in church, without removing essential Catholic features altogether. -
1559
Act of Supremacy
Document restored by Elizabeth which makes her Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Act followed by the Act of Uniformity, which declares that Catholics would be fined if they refused to attend services. picture : newly found portrait of Elizabeth in her 60's. Believed to have been painted in 1592. -
Period: 1568 to
The Queen Mary of Scots in England
For a whole of nineteen years, Mary of Scots was imprisoned in England, under the authority of Elizabeth. This was to prevent a Catholic revolt, and keep the plots against Elizabeth manageable. Elizabeth decided to make her executed in 1587 -
1569
The Rising of the North
The Via Media generated unsatisfaction, in both religious groups. Catholics however, who were a minority during the Elizabethan settlement, elaborated plots against the Queen, and put together a rebellion. It turned out unsuccessful, due to a lack of Catholic support. One of their claims was to replace the Queen by Mary the 1st of Scots, her cousin. picture of a commemorative plaque nailed in the city of Ripon, Northern Yorkshire. -
1570
The excommunication of Elizabeth The First
The Pope Pius V excommunicated the Queen of England, calling her a "heretic". This is a shift in history, first and foremost for the Queen who loses her legitimacy, but for Catholics as well, who now would be persecuted even more.
It is relevant to note that this happening increases the tensions with Catholic countries bordering England, especially Spain picture : front page of the papal bull against Elizabeth, British Library -
The victory of the Spanish Armada
Due to England's support with the Dutch that were already in conflict with Spain, Philipp II invades England. Hence, thanks to the force of their fleet, Elizabeth wins the battle and becomes a figure of Victory for the people, especially after her speech in Tilbury. painting by McConnell, James Edwin, 20th Century. -
Period: to
Reign of James 1
After Elizabeth's death, James, who was already King of Scotland, is crowned King of England too. He carried on the path of the religious settlement between Catholics and Protestants, and faced many plots and hate. He believed in a "perfect union" between Scotand and England, which was repressed by the Parliament. This led to endless tensions. -
The Gunpowder Plot
Catholics elaborated a conspiracy to blow up the Parliament in which the King was. picture : 'Guy Fawkes or The Anniversary of the Popish Plot’ by John Doyle, 1830 -
The Thirty Years War
The cost of this European Protestant war against Spain was significant. Indeed financial issues were the major reason James 1 and the Parliament were in disagreement. Members objected any military attack, and James dissolved the Parliament.
War ended in 1648 with the Westphalie treaties. picture : The Battle of Nördlingen, Jan Van Der Hoecke, 1651, via the Royal Collections Trust -
Period: to
Reign of Charles 1
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Petition of Rights
Essential document for the understanding of the tensions between the Parliament and Charles 1. The Petition was written by members of the Parliament so as to complain about the King's behavior concerning taxation, which he abused of, without the Parliament's consent. His actions were considered illegal. This declaration is an example of the hostility and disrepect the Parliament held against the King, which at the time was seldom said publicly. picture taken from the UK Parliament website. -
Period: to
The Personal Rule
Under the Personal rule, which is also called "The eleven years tyranny", the King ruled the land by himself, and the Parliament is dissolved. Arminianism was the religion implemented, which claims uniformity in church practices. -
Period: to
The Scottish Crisis
Although the King's attempt to unify the church of Scotland (the Kirk) with the Anglican church, the Scottish thoroughly opposed to the changes (New Prayer Book for example).This generated a true rebellion against Charles 1, to the point were Scotland invaded England, therefore defeated. Forced to pay the costs of the war, Charles 1 opened the Parliament again after 11 years of personal ruling. -
The Grand Remonstrance
Following the Irish Rebellion, the Parliament decided to set boundaries to the King's power concerning miitary actions. Thus, this document aims to empower the Parliament's right to object to the King's demands. Two groups emerged within the people : The Parliamentarians and the Royalists. picture : Triple portrait by Van Dyck, Anthony -
Period: to
The interregnum
England wad declared a Commonwealth, and monarchy was abolished, which let the House of Commons to rule. However, the regime failed because of rebellions in Ireland and Scotland who were repressed by Cromwell, the "Lord protector". -
Period: to
The Glorious Revolution
After a brief restoration of the monarchy, William of Orange (James II's on in law) becomes King after a political Protestant marriage with Mary. They implemented a constitutional monarchy. -
The Bill of Rights
One and only Constitution of England. Fixes limits to power, ans sets our rights of the Parliament. picture :
The Bill of Rights 1689: An Act declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and settling the Succession of the Crown. UK Parliament. -
Period: to
The Civil Wars
The Civil Wars opposed the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. Both disagreed about the role of the Parliament : Royalists believed in the Divine Rights of Kings, and Parliamentarians believed in the Parliament's supremacy.
Emergence of a New centralised Army, who set up a revolt against the King, and were influenced by political and religious radicalism.
The King escaped to Scotland, was accused of treason, and got executed on the 30th of January, in 1649