ECE Euro - Reformations and Religious Wars

Concordat of Bologna

An agreement reached in 1516 between King Francis I of France and Pope Leo X that allowed the French king to have significant control over church appointments and the administration of church properties in France.

95 Theses

A list of propositions for debate written by Martin Luther in 1517 that criticized the practices of the Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences. This document is seen as the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation.

English Reformation

A religious movement in the 16th century that resulted in the Church of England breaking away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church and moving towards Protestantism.

Council of Trent

A council of the Roman Catholic Church that took place between 1545 and 1563 that aimed to address issues within the Church, clarify Catholic doctrine, and implement reforms to counteract Protestantism.

Counter Reformation

A period of Catholic revival and reform initiated in response to the Protestant Reformation. It aimed to address issues raised by Protestant reformers and restore the authority of the Catholic Church, while also promoting a more devout and disciplined faith.

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty signed in 1555 that ended the religious civil war between Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire. This agreement allowed each prince to determine of their territory was Catholic or Protestant.

French Wars of Religion

A series of conflicts from 1562 to 1598 primarily between French Catholics and Huguenots, marked by political struggles for power and religious dominance.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

A targeted series of killings of Huguenots that took place on August 24, 1572, in Paris, during a time of intense religious conflict in France, it deepened the divide between Catholics and Protestants.

Union of Utrecht

Signed in 1579 that united several northern provinces of the Netherlands in their fight for independence from Spanish rule, a significant step towards a Dutch nation.

Spanish Armada

A large fleet of ships sent by King Phillip II of Spain in 1588 to invade England and reassert Catholic dominance, Engand won keeping Protestantism high.

Edict of Nantes

A decree issued in 1598 by Henry IV, granting religious tolerance to Huguenots and ending religious wars between Catholics and Protestants in France. Important for established a framework for coexistence between the two groups.

30 Years’ War

A conflict from 1618 to 1648 that involved many European powers and primarily took place within the Holy Roman Empire, rooted in disputes between Catholic and Protestants. It also set the stage from the concept of state sovereignty and the balance of power.

Treaty of Westphalia

Signed in 1648, marked the end of the 30 Years’ War, and established a new system of political order based on the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Index of Prohibited Books

A listed established by the Catholic Church that prohibited certain publications deemed dangerous to the faith.

Jan Haus

A Czech theologian and reformer in the early 15th century known for his criticisms of the Catholic Church, later foreshadowing the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther

A German theologian and religious reformer whose actions sparked the Protestant reformation. He challenged Catholic practices (indulgences) and emphasized salvation through faith alone.

John Calvin

A French theologian and reformer in the Protestant Reformation known for his influential work in developing they system of Christianity called Calvinism.

Calvinism

A branch of Protestantism emphasizing predestination, the sovereignty of God, and the authority of the scripture.

John Tetzel

A Dominican Friar and preacher known for his role in the sale of indulgences. His famous slogan was “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”

Indulgences

A practice in the Catholic Church where believers could reduce their time in purgatory by performing certain actions, like giving money to the Church.

Transubstantiation

The theological doctrine that holds that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine used in the sacrament become the actual body and blood of Christ.

Consubstantiation

The theological doctrine that holds that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine used in the sacrament coexist with the body and blood of Christ, but do not transform into them.

Ignatius Loyola

A Spanish priest and theologian who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He played a pivotal role in the Catholic Reformation, focusing on education and missionary work to strengthen and spread Catholicism.

Henry IV

His reign marked a significant turning point in France, as he worked to unify a nation divided by religious conflicts and established the foundations for a stronger centralized monarchy.

Mary Tudor

The Queen of England from 1553 until her death in 1558. She is remembered by her attempted to reverse the Protestant Reformation to restore Catholicism.

Elizabeth I

The Queen of England from 1558 until her death in 1603, marked by consolidation of Protestantism, significant political stability, and military victories.

Jesuits

A religious order founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1534 to promote education, engage in missionary work, and counter the spread of Protestantism through intellectual and spiritual activities.