The Protestant Reformation

This set of flashcards covers key terms and definitions related to The Protestant Reformation and its historical context.

Christianity

A religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ that spread throughout Europe beginning in the Mediterranean.

The Great Schism

The split that occurred in 1054 between the Western Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Protestant Reformation

A religious reform movement in the 16th century that led to the establishment of Protestant churches.

John Wycliffe

An English theologian who argued for the authority of the Bible over the Church and translated it into English.

Jan Hus

A Czech church reformer who preached against the wealth of the Church and emphasized the authority of the Bible.

Martin Luther

A theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation by protesting Church abuses, particularly the sale of indulgences.

John Calvin

A Protestant reformer whose teachings focused on predestination and the sovereignty of God.

Henry VIII

King of England who founded the Church of England to secure a divorce, leading to the English Reformation.

Council of Trent

A Catholic council that addressed Church reform and reaffirmed core Catholic beliefs during the Counter Reformation.

Thirty Years' War

A conflict from 1618 to 1648 that involved religious tensions in Europe and ended with significant changes to political boundaries and power.

Huguenots

French Protestants influenced by Calvinism who faced severe persecution from Catholics.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

A 1572 event in which thousands of Huguenots were killed in France during religious conflicts.

English Civil Wars

Conflict in England from 1642 to 1651 involving disputes between king and Parliament, fundamentally changing the British political landscape.

Glorious Revolution

The 1688 event in which James II was deposed and William and Mary ascended to the throne, leading to a constitutional monarchy.