Reformation Essay for BA Students

                         The Reformation

Introduction :

Reformation is a term used to refer to the great religious movement of the 16th century. It started in Germany and spread to other nations like wild fire. According to Hilaire Belloc, "Reformation was a revolt against Catholicism".

Causes of Reformation: 

I. Doctrines and practices of the church became outdated. 

II. Growing spirit of nationalism among people or rivalry between popes and anti-popes and corruption. 

Practice of granting Indulgence: 

Pope, Julius II decided to pull down the old medieval church of St. Peter, and construct a grand new Basilica. The next Pope, Leo X ran short of funds. He came up with an idea of raising funds by pardoning sinners and selling indulgences to people who donated money for the construction of new Basilica. The superstitious people believed that they could escape hell and reach heaven by paying the Pope. 

German monk - Martin Luther King:

The Reformation movement was initiated by Martin-Luther King, a Greek Monk on October 31st, 1517. He nailed the door of Wittenberg Church with 95 objections. The pope Leo X signed a bill of ex-communication against Martin unthinkingly on June 15. Luther burned the bill and was in the Roman Church. He got married to an ex-nun at the age of 42. Following Luther monks and nuns left their monasteries and got married. 

Henry VIII break with Rome : 

Henry VIII wrote in defence of the doctrine of the church and he was conferred with the little Defensor by Pope Leo X. His relationship with Pope got strained when he desired to marry Anne Boleyn. 

Henry summoned a parliament called the Reformation parliament. 

I. He passed a series of acts which curtailed the powers of the Pope.

II. He dismissed Cardinal Wolsay and William Warham. 

iii. He appointed Thomas Ganmer as Archbishop of Canterbury. 

iv. Bishops were appointed by the king. 

v. Reformation parliament cut down the fees payable to the church. 

vi. The payment of annates was prohibited for the Bishop. 

Thus the Roman Church lost their power. 

The Act of Supremacy:

This act was passed in 1534. Pope's authority was completely abolished. Henry VIII became the supreme head of the church. 

Henry's religious measures: 

In Europe, the reformation meant the rejection of papal authority. Henry was not a Protestant. Belloc puts it, Henry tried to keep England Catholic without the Pope. In 1539 a bill was passed and men called them "the whip with six strings".

Reformation during Edward VI:

To retain the Catholic doctrine, a prayer book of Archbishop Carnmer was prescribed in 1549.

Reformation during the reign of Mary Tudor: 

She abolished the prayer book of Edward VI. She tried to wipe out the Protestant by burning them. 300 people were burnt, including Granmer and Latimer. This cruel nature earned her a nick name " Bloody Mary". This burning issue made England a Protestant. 

Elizabeth Settlement:

Elizabeth maintained  sovereign rule in England. She did not like England to become a slave if Rome.