1520s: Martin Luther's ideas begin to influence Scotland, with Lutheran literature circulating in east-coast burghs 3
1525: Scottish Parliament bans importation of Lutheran literature 3
1527: Scottish merchants bring William Tyndale's New Testament to Edinburgh and St. Andrews 3
1528: Patrick Hamilton, influenced by Martin Luther's teachings, was burned at the stake for heresy, in St. Andrews, becomes Scotland's first Protestant martyr and inspiring future reformers, 3 2
1536: John Knox graduated from University of St. Andrews and was ordained a priest 4
1538: Mary of Guise became Queen of Scotland as the second wife of James V. She became the mother of the later Mary Queen of Scots.
1542: King James V died in battle and was succeeded by his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots (Bloody Mary), who was then one week old. James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, became regent.
1543: John Knox, a former Catholic priest, converted to Protestantism 4
1545: Knox becomes associate and bodyguard to George Wishart 4
1546: George Wishart, a Protestant preacher, is executed for heresy. His martyrdom galvanizes support for the Reformation, leading to the assassination of Cardinal Beaton by supporters of Wishart who captured Beaton's castle. John Knox was appointed as chaplain to the soldiers in the castle..
1546: Protestants at St. Andrews Castle are put under siege and the castle was recaptured 4
1547: Knox imprisoned as a galley slave in France for 19 months 4
Knox preached in Northern England
1554: Mary of Guise replaced Arran as regent.
When Bloody Mary came to the throne, Knox fled. He ministered in Frankfurt, then fled to Geneva.
Knox learned a great deal from Calvin in Geneva and became a Protestant reformer.
1555-1556: Knox returns to Scotland secretly, does missionary work, and is condemned for heresy 4
1557: A group of Scottish nobles, later known as the Lords of the Congregation, sign the 'First Band,' a covenant pledging to promote Protestant reforms and oppose the spread of Catholicism in Scotland.
17 November 1558: Elizabeth I ascends the throne of England.
1558: Knox writes "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women". In it he argued against the rule of women, which had implications for both Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England. 4
1559: Knox returns to Scotland. His fiery sermons and leadership were instrumental in advancing the Reformation movement. 1 4
2 May, 1559: A sermon by John Knox in St John's Kirk, Perth, against idolatry, incites a riot, leading to the destruction of religious images and altars (and then attacking other religious houses) marking a turning point in the Reformation movement.
June 29, 1559: Knox preaches at St. Giles' in Edinburgh, marking the real starting point of the Scottish Reformation 1
27 February, 1560: The Treaty of Berwick meant that an English fleet and army would come to Scotland to expel French troops who were defending the regency of Mary of Guise, thus hastening the Scottish Reformation. This led to rioting and armed conflict.
Knox promoted the training of new preachers.
5 July 1560: The Treaty of Edinburgh is signed, leading to the withdrawal of French and English troops from Scotland, allowing Scotland to handle its own affairs and enabling the establishment of Protestantism.
August 17, 1560: Scottish Parliament (The Reformation Parliament) adopts the Protestant "Scots Confession", effectively implementing the Reformation across Scotland 1 4 5
The Scots Confession had been compiles by the "six Johns" (John Knox, John Spottiswood, John Willock, John Winram, John Douglas, John Row) in four days.
It was superseded by the Westminster Confession and Catechisms in 1648.
24 August 1560: Scottish Parliament (the Reformation Parliament) passed three acts:
Only baptism and Communion were recognised as sacraments and were to be performed by Reformed preachers;
Celebration of the Mass incurred a series of penalties, ultimately death;
Papal jurisdiction in Scotland was repudiated
Queen Mary refused to endorse these Acts.
January 1561: a convention of nobles and about 30 lairds approved the First Book of Discipline that had been compiled by the "six Johns".
1561: Catholic Mary Queen of Scots returns from France to rule Scotland after the Reformation Parliament had established Protestantism as the national religion, determined to see Roman Catholicism restored 4.
Mary insisted on being able to have Mass in her private chapel. Knox opposed it.
There were many unpleasant meetings between the two.
Mary received permission and began to travel throughout Scotland, establishing Catholic chapels.
Through strategic actions, Mary neutralised the support of the aristocracy of Knox.
Catholics in England believed Elizabeth had no rightful claim to the throne and that Mary did.
Elizabeth sent Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley to seduce Mary and undermine her position.
1563: The Scottish Parliament passes the Witchcraft Act, reflecting the era's heightened religious zeal and leading to numerous witch trials.
The lairds became increasingly unhappy.
1567: Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son, James VI, ensuring a Protestant succession." .
1567: One-year-old Charles James is crowned King James VI of Scotland in a Protestant ceremony 1
James VI was raised by Presbyterian tutors although be did not like Presbyterianism, preferring bishops.
1572: John Knox dies in Edinburgh and is buried at St. Giles's Cathedral 4
1572: News of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in France heightens anti-Catholic feelings in Scotland, strengthening Protestant resolve.
Despite his Presbyterian upbringing, James VI favoured the episcopal system of church governance, with bishops appointed by the monarch. This preference stemmed from his belief in the divine right of kings and his desire for greater control over the church.
James VI's embrace of episcopacy caused friction with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which advocated for a more democratic system of church governance.
1578: The Church of Scotland adopts the Second Book of Discipline, reinforcing Presbyterian governance and further distancing itself from episcopal structures.
1584: The 'Black Acts' are passed, asserting royal supremacy over the Church and undermining Presbyterian governance, causing tensions between the crown and religious leaders.
1592: The Scottish Parliament passes the 'Golden Act,' officially establishing Presbyterianism as the system of church governance in Scotland.
This tension continued throughout James Vi's reign in Scotland and into his reign as James I of England, where he also faced opposition from Puritan factions within the Church of England.
The Reformation led to significant cultural shifts, including the removal of religious imagery from churches, the simplification of worship practices, and an increased emphasis on education and literacy to enable personal Bible study.
The Reformation's emphasis on personal Bible reading led to a surge in literacy and the establishment of parish schools across Scotland, laying the foundation for the country's esteemed education system.
The Scottish Reformation was shaped by several key figures who played crucial roles in its development and success:
Patrick Hamilton (1504-1528): Scotland's first Protestant martyr, burned at the stake in St. Andrews. He published "Patrick's Places," which revealed his Lutheran influences 3.
George Wishart (1513-1546): A significant reformer who came under Calvin's influence. He taught the New Testament in Greek and was instrumental in spreading Protestant ideas in Scotland 3.
John Knox (c. 1514-1572): Considered one of the founders of the Scottish Reformation1. Knox's leadership was pivotal in:
James Stewart, Earl of Moray: Half-brother to Mary Queen of Scots, he aided Knox in making the Protestant Reformation successful 1.
The "Six Johns": A group of Protestant ministers and intellectuals, including John Knox, who created the First Book of Discipline outlining the structure and doctrine of the newly established Church of Scotland 4.
The "six Johns" were a group of ministers who wrote the Scots Confession, the first Book of Faith for the Protestant Scottish Church:
John Knox: A committed Protestant who preached to both monarchs and common people
John Spottiswood: A long-time Protestant
John Willock: A long-time Protestant
John Winram: A former pillar of the Catholic establishment
John Douglas: A former pillar of the Catholic establishment
John Row: A former pillar of the Catholic establishment
In 1560, the Parliament of Scotland commissioned the "six Johns" to write the Scots Confession to outline the Protestant faith in Scotland. The committee was able to produce the 25-chapter confession in just four days because the key beliefs had already been discussed for many years. The Scots Confession is a contemporary statement of the Christian faith as understood by the followers of John Calvin.
James VI of Scotland (later James I of England): As a Protestant king, he helped consolidate the Reformation's success 1.
These individuals, through their preaching, writing, and political influence, were instrumental in transforming Scotland's religious landscape and establishing Protestantism as the national religion.
St. Andrews: Site of Patrick Hamilton's martyrdom and early Protestant activity 3
Edinburgh: Capital city and centre of Reformation activities, including Knox's preaching at St. Giles' Cathedral 1 4
Perth: Location of Knox's sermon that sparked the 1559 uprising 1
Geneva: Where Knox pastored an English congregation and was influenced by Calvin's ideas 4
The Scottish Reformation was a complex process that unfolded over several decades, culminating in the establishment of a Protestant national church in 1560. It was shaped by influential figures like Patrick Hamilton and John Knox, and marked by significant events such as parliamentary actions and religious upheavals1 2 3 4 5.