Religion: English Reformation

What is the English reformation?

the separation of the Church of England from Papal authority

Where was the English Reformation?

Between England and the Catholic Church located in Rome

When was the English Reformation?

16th Century: 1509-1547 CE

Why did the English Reformation occur

King Henry the 8th wanted a male heir and therefore an annulment to Catherine of Aragon who was not providing one. His annulment was declined by Pope Clement 7th sparking King Henry to separate from the Church

Love as a reason for the division

* Catherine of Aragon could not provide the male heir that Henry was so desperate for and now she was in her 40s and there was little hope for her to bear any more children. Only one of her 6 children she birthed, Mary, survived past infancy
* Anne Boleyn had caught the eye of King Henry and provided a way for him to have a male heir
* Henry applied to annul his marriage to the Catholic Church however Pope Clement 7th rejected

Faith as a reason for the division

* Henry resents the Catholic Church since Pope refused to annul marriage
* Henry creates his own Church of England
* Sole religion of England, he is now head of state and the head of the church

Power as a reason for the division

* Henry was power hungry and wanted to have control over both the country and church
* able to dissolve the monasteries to eliminate affiliation with the Catholic Church

Money as a reason for the division

* money was needed to support the lifestyle of the king and his desire for war
* it was able to be used for bargaining and bribery

similarities between catholicism and anglicanism

* recite Nicene and apostles creeds
* both practice baptism and communion
* both believe in the story of Jesus and celebrate the same christian holiday
* liturgy is very similar and priests wear similar items during mass

bible as a difference between catholicism and anglicanism

* anglicanism: the principal foundation of all faith and thought


* catholicism: believe in many other holy scriptures, bible not taken literally instead viewed as stories

office as a difference between catholicism and anglicanism 

* anglicanism: men and women can be priests
* catholicism: only men can be priests

sacraments as a difference between catholicism and anglicanism 

* anglicanism: baptism and communion are necessary, other sacraments are not necessary for salvation
* catholicism: 7 sacraments instituted by Jesus

Mary and the saints as a difference between catholicism and anglicanism 

* anglicanism: Mary is acknowledged as someone who existed but is not considered immaculate. Saints are not prayed to often
* catholicism: Mary is believed to be the mother of Christ and saints are worshipped

celibacy as a difference between catholicism and anglicanism 

* anglicanism: no vow of celibacy
* catholicism: vow of celibacy

dissolution of the monasteries as an impact of the reformation

* monasteries destroyed
* relics and other symbols destroyed
* wealth removed and used to fund war
* roofs taken off buildings to quicken decaying process
* some buildings given to nobility

homelessness as an impact of the reformation

* nuns and priests were left homeless
* no longer had access to shelter
* nobles did not look after them

fear of religious expression as an impact of the reformation

* catholics unable to practice in fear of being persecuted or executed
* at the time English population were devout catholics
* forced to choose alliance with ruler or religion
* relics and symbols destroyed

education as an impact of the reformation

* catholics, especially girls, had no place to be educated
* nuns no longer had a place to educate
* children becoming uneducated