Elizabeth's Reformation

Context The reformation was a time of triumph, chaos and conflict. During the early part of the 16th century, Martin Luther turned the world upside down, catapulting it into a bitter war between Catholicism and Protestantism. The reformers wanted change, they were tired of the corruption and abuses of the church and by the mid-16th century, Europe was engulfed in struggle and conflict. The Catholic Church, engaged in a reformation of its own, was fighting back. In France, Holland, and Scotland many protestants were suffering death or exile, while Germany was fighting in a merciless religious war known as Schmalkaldic War (1547).

The reformation began in England in 1535 when King Henry VIII renounced the authority of the pope, after the

Elizabeth was an avid supporter of Mary and refused to support a revolt led by Sir Thomas Wyatt. However, Mary was uneasy with Elizabeth. Mary was a devout Catholic and Elizabeth was protestant; Elizabeth also posed a potential threat to her throne. To rectify this, false charges were brought against Elizabeth, implicating her as part of the rebellion of Wyatt. She was thrown into prison in 1554, some even advocating for her execution. Elizabeth was released a year later, once she outwardly professed Catholicism. Upon the death of Mary, the young Elizabeth took the throne in 1558. At a time when England was torn by religious strife, economic insecurity and a horrible war with France; her education, shrewdness, popularity and diplomatic ability enabled her to rise to the

Over the next 45 years a wave of prosperity swept through the land politically, religiously and economically; leaving it independent, harmonious, intelligent, and powerful. Although not without hardship along the way. The pope was adamantly opposed to Elizabeth and supported her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots (who had a legitimate claim to the English throne). Elizabeth saw the threat Mary posed and had her imprisoned and eventually executed. Mary’s execution sparked a war with Spain, which resulted in Spanish defeat. This too was a significant step for the advancement of the Protestant faith. Now England took the place of Spain as the great colonizer of the New World, establishing Protestantism as a force in international