English Reformation -  Overview & Timeline

Pre-Reformation influences

John Wycliffe (c. 1320-1384)

• Advocated for the primacy of scripture and translation of the Bible into vernacular languages

• Criticized religious practices he considered superstitious

• Denied the doctrine of transubstantiation

• His followers, known as Lollards, continued to spread his ideas underground2 

Lollardy (Late 14th - Early 16th Century)

• 1384: Death of John Wycliffe, considered the founder of Lollardy

• Key beliefs:

  • Primacy of scripture

  • Bible should be available in vernacular languages

  • Rejection of transubstantiation

  • Condemnation of prayers for the dead

• Lollards spread ideas through public preaching and distribution of Wycliffite Bible

• Faced persecution but continued as an underground movement

Humanist Influence (Late 15th - Early 16th Century)

• Erasmus taught at Cambridge University, influencing a generation of theologians

• 1516: Thomas More publishes "Utopia," reflecting humanist ideals

• Humanists promoted:

  • Return to original sources ("ad fontes")

  • Critical examination of biblical texts

  • Emphasis on individual morality and ethics

Early Reformers at Cambridge (1520s)

• "Little Germany" group met at the White Horse tavern

• Key figures included:

  • Thomas Cranmer

  • Hugh Latimer

  • Thomas Bilney

  • Miles Coverdale

  • William Tyndale

• 1526: William Tyndale's English New Testament printed in Germany

Pre-Reformation Tensions

• 1527: Henry VIII seeks annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon

• 1529: "Reformation Parliament" begins, setting stage for religious changes

• 1530-1533: Early Protestant martyrs, including Thomas Hitton, Thomas Bilney, and John Frith

These movements and events laid the groundwork for the more comprehensive changes that would occur during the English Reformation under Henry VIII and his successors. 

The Reformation (1527-1563)

• 1509: Henry VIII becomes King and marries Catherine of Aragon

• 1516: Mary I is born to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

• 1521: Henry VIII publishes an attack on Martin Luther, earning the title "Defender of the Faith" from the Pope

• 1525: Henry VIII falls in love with Anne Boleyn

The Reformation Under Henry VIII (1527-1547)

• 1527: Henry VIII seeks an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon

• 1529: The "Reformation Parliament" begins, setting the stage for religious changes

• 1530: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the King's chief minister, is arrested and dies

• 1531: The Church recognizes Henry VIII as "Protector and Supreme Head of the English church and clergy"

• 1532: The Submission of the Clergy - the Church surrenders its independent legislative power

• 1533: Henry VIII secretly marries Anne Boleyn

• 1533: Thomas Cranmer is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

• 1533: Cranmer declares Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn legal; Elizabeth I is born

• 1534: Henry VIII declared himself Head of the Church of England, thus breaking with Rome. The Act of Supremacy establishes Henry VIII as head of the Church of England

• 1535: Thomas Cromwell is appointed "vicegerent in spirituals"

• 1536: The dissolution of the monasteries begins

• 1536: The Pilgrimage of Grace challenges the religious changes

• 1537: Bishops' Book published, outlining early Protestant theology

• 1537: John Rogers produces the Matthew Bible, the first official English Bible

• 1537: Jane Seymour gives birth to Prince Edward at Hampton Court Palace

• 1538: Henry VIII orders English Bible to be put in every parish church

• 1538: 'Exeter Conspiracy' occurs

• 1539: Publication of the Great Bible compiled by Miles Coverdale

• 1539: Second Act of Dissolution; Henry VIII intervenes to halt the doctrinal reformation

• 1539: Six Articles affirm traditional Roman Catholic doctrine

• 1540: 6 January: Henry marries Anne of Cleves

• 1540: 9 July: Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves is annulled

• 1543: Henry's King's Book prohibits Scripture reading

• 1543: Cranmer accused of heresy, but Henry protects him

The English Reformation Under Edward VI

• 1547, 28 January: Henry VIII dies; Edward VI accedes to the throne at age 9 3

• 1547: Thomas Cranmer introduces the First Book of Homilies

• 1548: Images and many Catholic symbols removed from English churches

• 1549: First Book of Common Prayer is issued, presenting religious services in English 4

• 1549: Act of Uniformity requires everyone to use the Book of Common Prayer

• 1552: A second, more radical Book of Common Prayer is published 2

• 1553: Edward VI dies.

Under Edward VI, the Church of England moved in a decidedly Protestant direction, with significant changes to worship and church decoration. 

The Counter-Reformation Under Mary I

• 1553: Mary I becomes queen and attempts to restore Catholicism 1 4

• 1554: First Act of Repeal reverses religious legislation of Edward VI

• 1554: The English church is formally reunited with Rome 4

• 1555: Second Act of Repeal abolishes all post-1529 religious legislation

• 1555: Mary I begins persecution of Protestant 'heretics' 2 4

• 1556, 21 March: Thomas Cranmer burned at the stake for heresy

Mary I's brief reign saw a violent attempt to reverse the Reformation, but her efforts were ultimately short-lived. 

The Elizabethan Settlement

• 1558: Elizabeth I ascends to the throne 4

• 1559: Act of Supremacy (April) and Act of Uniformity are passed, establishing the Church of England's independence 1 4

• 1559: A new compromise Book of Common Prayer is introduced 2

• 1563: The Thirty-Nine Articles define Church of England doctrine 1

• 1570: Pope Pius V excommunicates Elizabeth I 4

Comment: Elizabeth I established a "middle way" between Catholicism and Protestantism, solidifying the Church of England's distinct identity. 

Ongoing Catholic v Protestant Tensions

Stuart Period (1603-1649)

• 1603: James I becomes king, initially tolerant of Catholics

• 1605: Gunpowder Plot, a failed Catholic conspiracy to blow up Parliament

• 1606: Stricter enforcement of anti-Catholic laws following the Gunpowder Plot

• 1625: Charles I becomes king, marries Catholic Henrietta Maria of France

• 1634: William Laud becomes Archbishop of Canterbury, promotes High Church policies

• 1640: Long Parliament convenes, dominated by Puritans

• 1642: English Civil War begins, pitting Puritan-dominated Parliament against the king

Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649-1660)

• 1649: Execution of Charles I; England becomes a republic

• 1650: Cromwell's regime enforces strict Puritan policies

• 1658: Death of Oliver Cromwell

Restoration and Later Stuart Period (1660-1714)

• 1660: Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II

• 1662: Act of Uniformity re-establishes Anglican Church

• 1673: Test Act excludes Catholics from public office

• 1678: Titus Oates' "Popish Plot" sparks anti-Catholic hysteria

• 1685: Catholic James II becomes king

• 1688: Glorious Revolution; William and Mary invited to take the throne

• 1689: Toleration Act grants freedom of worship to Protestant dissenters, but not Catholics

• 1701: Act of Settlement bars Catholics from the throne