Reformation Study Guide Notes

Reformation

  • A 16th-century movement for religious reform, leading to the founding of Christian churches that rejected the pope's authority.

Key Terms

  • Indulgence: A pardon releasing a person from punishments due for a sin.
  • Lutherans: Members of a Protestant church founded on the teachings of Martin Luther.
  • Peace of Augsburg: A 1555 agreement declaring that the religion of each German state would be decided by its ruler.
  • Annul: To cancel or put an end to.
  • Anglican: Relating to the Church of England.
  • Protestant: A member of a Christian church founded on the principles of the Reformation.

Causes of the Reformation

Long Term

  • Spirit of Questioning: Authority/role of Church questioned.
  • Roman Catholic Church becomes secular/corrupt:
    • Clergy members living in luxury.
    • Church officials getting married.
    • Simony.
  • Strong Kings emerged who resented Pope's Power.

Short Term

  • Pope Leo X seeks funds for St. Peter's Basilica.
  • Sale of Indulgences by Johann Tetzel: "ticket to heaven."
  • Martin Luther posts the 95 theses: grievances against the church, especially indulgences.
  • Luther translates the Bible (New Testament) into German (vernacular).
  • Printing Press: many copies of German bible/95 theses produced, and Luther's message is spread.
  • Reform is a call for change: Christian denominations form.

Luther's Stand and Consequences

  • Pope Leo X seeks funds for St. Peter's, Johann Tetzel sells indulgences, and Martin Luther posts the 95 theses protesting sale of indulgences.
  • Theses are mass-produced by the printing press, and his message is spread.
  • Luther gains supporters, and Pope Leo X aligns with Charles V, fearful of Luther.
  • Luther is threatened with excommunication but refuses and is excommunicated, put on trial, declared an outlaw/heretic.
  • Luther is sheltered by Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony, where he translated the Bible into German (vernacular).
  • Luther's followers become Lutherans.
  • German peasants, inspired by Luther's teachings (which were spiritual), revolt (social movement).
  • Luther is horrified and urges German princes to stamp out the rebellion; many die.
  • Pope supports German Princes fight Luther supporting German Princes.
  • Charles V sends troops but can't force them to rejoin the Catholic Church.
  • Peace of Augsburg: Established religious tolerance; each ruler decided the religion of his state.

Henry VIII

  • Became King at 18.
  • Devout Catholic.
  • Awarded title "Defender of Faith" by the Pope (critical of Luther).
  • Excommunicated by Pope Clement VII.
  • Dies after a 38-year reign.

Henry's Wives

  1. Catherine of Aragon
    • Catherine and Henry had Mary I (Bloody Mary).
    • Illegitimate son named Henry Fitzroy (not important).
    • Henry tried to make her sign annulment papers, but she refused, as did the pope, so Henry got Parliament to pass the Act of Supremacy, which made him the official head of the English Church.
      • Break from the Roman Catholic Church through law.
      • Monarch = head of church.
      • Monarch appoints all church positions.
      • All church lands belong to the government.
      • All clergy must swear allegiance to monarch.
  2. Anne Boleyn
    • Catherine and Henry had Elizabeth I (Catholics felt she was illegitimate).
    • Failed to produce a male heir; rumors she was infertile.
    • Henry had met Jane Seymour.
    • Tried to woo Henry back; Henry charged her with adultery/incest and had her beheaded.
  3. Jane Seymour
    • Finally a male heir, Edward VI, ending the succession argument.
    • Died shortly after childbirth.
    • Elizabeth I and Mary I raised together
  4. Anne of Cleves
    • Only lasted 6 months; Henry got out of the marriage.
    • Annulled.
    • Henry was convinced to marry Anne of Cleves by Thomas Cromwell, and he was later beheaded
  5. Catherine Howard
    • 16 days after annulment, Henry married 17-year-old Catherine Howard.
    • She was beheaded for adultery.
    • Cousin of Anne Boleyn.
  6. Catherine Parr
    • Final time, Henry married Catherine Parr; she got along with the children.
    • Marriage ends with Henry's death!
    • Marries Thomas Seymour afterward who wanted to marry Elizabeth I, but people disapproved, so he could have power (Henry VI still too young to rule by himself).
    • Died of childbirth.

Quick Summary of Henry's Wives

  • Catherine of Aragon - Annulled
  • Anne Boleyn - Beheaded
  • Jane Seymour - Only true love, died
  • Anne of Cleves - Annulled
  • Catherine Howard - Beheaded
  • Catherine Parr - Henry dies

Key Figures in Henry VIII's Reformation

  • Thomas Cromwell: Chief Minister, oversaw Reformation Parliament, oversaw monasteries.
  • Thomas Cranmer: Archbishop of Canterbury, guided changes in policy.
  • Thomas More: Chancellor, refused to swear allegiance, silent protest of Supremacy/Succession Acts, held in Tower of London, then tried and found guilty; beheaded.

Post-Henry VIII

  • Who was the only Catholic wife + wife's daughter?: Catherine of Aragon and Mary I
  • Edward VI: Protestant King at age 9. Church of England expanded, was sick and died at 16. England was under the rule of Edward's council (included Thomas Seymour). To prevent Mary I from ruling, they tried to get Edward VI to marry Lady Jane Grey but he sickly child so instead named her as heir.
  • Lady Jane Grey: Ruled for 9 days until Mary gained supporters and pushed her out
  • Mary I (Bloody Mary): Daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Attempted to restore Catholicism, married Philip II from Spain. Had more than 300 Protestants killed.

Elizabeth I

  • England's greatest leader.
  • Kept religious order (made compromises between Catholics/Protestants).
  • Advanced exploration (of America).
  • Patron of Arts (remember Shakespeare?).
  • Brought England to a position of world power with the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
  • Re-established Protestant Church.
  • Became strict when the Pope (didn't like her) excommunicated her almost immediately.

Act of Uniformity

  • England's Church is officially the Anglican Church.
  • Elizabeth I established a set form of worship.
  • The Book of Common Prayer books of Edward VI was to be used in every church in the land.
  • Church attendance on Sundays and holy days was mandatory.

Mary (Stuart), Queen of Scots

  • Catholics of Northern England started a rebellion hoping to take away the English crown and give it to Mary, Queen of Scots.
  • She was a threat to Queen Elizabeth's reign (because she was Catholic) and eventually was beheaded.

Spanish Armada (Reasons)

  1. Philip II sent the Armada because he's Catholic, and Elizabeth I is Protestant (Religious War).
  2. Age of Exploration - Spain took the lead, but English Sea Dogs "supposedly" stole the goods from Spanish ships and took credit.
  3. Spain had a lot of power north of England; Elizabeth tried to get the people to revolt.

James I

  • James I of England = James VI of Scotland.
  • Mother was Queen Mary of Scots.
  • Named heir at Elizabeth I's death. (James VI of Scotland)