The English Reformation

The English Reformation

Reaction in England to the Reformation • 1520s: Martin Luther and other reformers active in Europe • In England, many are upset with corruption of Church • Sir Thomas More, devout Catholic and humanist, seeks reformation from within • Also fiercely defends the faith and attacks Luther in writing • However, the Reformation is coming to England…

In England, the Reformation began with the King King Henry VIII (1491-1547) in power 1509-1547

Marriage and Divorce 1509: Henry VIII marries Catherine of Aragon After 18 years (1527), she fails to produce male heir He wants divorce, having also fallen in love with Anne Boleyn (one of Catherine’s maids) To divorce, he needs a papal annulment of his marriage. The Pope refuses. Annulment: an official cancellation of something How do you think Henry VIII reacted?

The Act of Supremacy 1529: Henry VIII’s advisors (the Reformation Parliament) decide England is no longer under authority of the Pope. The Act of Supremacy: All English subjects are required to take an oath declaring Henry VIII to be the “Supreme Head of the Church of England.” The Kings of England are now rulers of both secular and spiritual affairs.

Anglicanism: The Reformation of England • Anglicanism: The Church of England • Protestant but very similar to Catholicism (except no Pope) • The English Monarch is the head of the church and the Archbishop of Canterbury runs it • Even though Henry VIII has split the English Church away from Rome, he remains strongly Catholic and fights any Reformation ideas

Wives of HenryVIII • Why is he famous for his wives? • Six Wives: • - Two divorced • - Two beheaded • - One dies • - One outlives him

The Dissolution of the Monasteries • Extravagant spending: Henry VIII is broke • Monasteries around Great Britain contain great wealth • Act of Supremacy: Henry VIII now controls Church in England • As a result, by 1540, Henry VIII had dissolved England’s monasteries and convents • The Dissolution of the Monasteries

The Lasting Effects of Henry VIII • Church of England: domination of church by state • More radical Protestant reformers arise • Much of the wealth gained by Henry VIII is spent on developing Royal Navy (from 5 to 40 warships)

The Counter Reformation 1530s-1648 The Catholic Church’s Response to the Protestant Reformation

The Counter Reformation The Church had two tactics: • Reform the Church from within Council of Trent (1545-1563) Stop the spread of Protestantism Water Torture during the Inquisition

The Catholic Counter-Reformation • The Council of Trent: between 1545 and 1563, to make reforms • The Council of Trent reaffirmed Catholic doctrines

Reform Within the Church • The Council of Trent (1545-1563) • Purpose: The Church held three meetings to discuss reform AND define dogma (official teachings) • Some areas were reformed • Indulgences banned • Better administration to fight corruption • Many Protestant ideas rejected: • Seven sacraments, not just two • Bible is written in Latin, not the vernacular language • Pope is supreme leader • Man has free will (your fate is NOT predestined) • This revitalizes the Roman Catholic Church

Reform Within the Church • The Council of Trent also revitalized the Church through the creation of new religious orders to focus on performing charity and good works • This reaffirmed the idea that one needed more than just faith to be saved • - Lived among the poor and sick • - Strengthened rural parishes • - Encouraged pious and simple living

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism • The Church emphasized the great power it still had • The Church took measures to reassert its authority in the following ways: • - The Jesuits • - The Inquisition • - The Index of Prohibited Books

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism • The Society of Jesus: The Jesuits • A religious group founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1540 • - Promoted education • - Famous for missionary work • Countered Protestant Reformation • by working top-down (counseling kings and princes) • Jesuits were fanatical in their devotion…

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism • Index (List) of Banned Books • Created in 1559 by the Pope • Purpose: to prevent heresy • Banned both Protestant literature • and controversial texts

Stopping the Spread of Protestantism • The Inquisition • Purpose: to discover heretics (mostly Jews and Muslims, but also Protestants), reinforce Catholic doctrine, and to prove power of the Church • Mostly in Spain and Italy, but different variations took place across Europe (most notorious in Spain) • The accused were put on trial and were guilty until proven innocent… Torture • was used to elicit confessions

Was the Counter-Reformation a success? But, it shed its reputation for corruption and it spread widely through missionary work

Was the Counter-Reformation Successful? • Yes and No • No: Failed to win back many Protestant ‘lost souls’ • However: • Yes: Church doctrine was clarified • Church recognized its corruption/mistakes and reformed • New religious orders created • The Jesuits began to spread Catholicism around the world…

Based on the divisions on the preceding map, can you predict what will happen in Europe next? Massive bloodshed and warfare as members of the different religions battle with each other.

Europe in 1555

Effects of the Protestant Reformation What effects did the Protestant Reformation have on the political, economic and social influence of the RCC? What effects did the Protestant Reformation have on the political, economic and social structure of WE at the time? What options did the RCC have to ‘deal’ with the widespread heresy? What are the specific issues the Protestant Reformation leaders had that were ‘fixed’ by the Council of Trent? Did the Council create a system that would work for all Christians? Why or Why not? Who were the Jesuits, who sanctioned them and what were their goals?

The English Reformation