The English Reformation

Reaction in England to the Reformation

1520s: Martin Luther and other reformers active in EuropeIn England, many are upset with corruption of Church

Sir Thomas More, devout Catholic and humanist, seeks reformation from withinAlso fiercely defends the faith and attacks Luther in writingHowever, 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 Divorce1509: 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 Supremacy1529: 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

Why is he famous for his wives?

Six Wives:- Two divorced- Two beheaded- One dies- One outlives him

Wives of HenryVIII

The Dissolution of the MonasteriesExtravagant spending: Henry VIII is brokeMonasteries around Great Britain contain great wealthAct of Supremacy: Henry VIII now controls Church in EnglandAs a result, by 1540, Henry VIII had dissolved England’s monasteries and convents

The Dissolution of the Monasteries

The Lasting Effects of Henry VIIIChurch of England: domination of church by stateMore 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 ReformationThe 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-ReformationThe Council of Trent: between 1545 and 1563, to make reforms

The Council of Trent reaffirmed Catholic doctrines

Reform Within the ChurchThe Council of Trent (1545-1563)

Purpose: The Church held three meetings to discuss reform AND define dogma (official teachings)

Some areas were reformedIndulgences bannedBetter administration to fight corruption

Many Protestant ideas rejected:Seven sacraments, not just twoBible is written in Latin, not the vernacular languagePope is supreme leaderMan has free will (your fate is NOT predestined)

This revitalizes the Roman Catholic Church

Reform Within the ChurchThe 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 ProtestantismThe 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 BooksCreated in 1559 by the Pope- Purpose: to prevent heresy

- Banned both Protestant literature and controversial texts

Stopping the Spread of ProtestantismThe Inquisition

Purpose: to discover heretics (mostly Jews and Muslims, but also Protestants), reinforce Catholic doctrine, and to prove power of the ChurchMostly 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 clarifiedChurch recognized its corruption/mistakes and reformedNew religious orders createdThe 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

1. What effects did the Protestant Reformation have on the political, economic and social influence of the RCC?

2. What effects did the Protestant Reformation have on the political, economic and social structure of WE at the time?

3. What options did the RCC have to ‘deal’ with the widespread heresy?

4. What are the specific issues the Protestant Reformation leaders had that were ‘fixed’ by the Council of Trent?

5. Did the Council create a system that would work for all Christians? Why or Why not?

6. Who were the Jesuits, who sanctioned them and what were their goals?

Effects of the Protestant Reformation