Religion In The Elizabethan Era Research Paper

Religion in Europe in the Elizabethan Era

The elizabethan era was one of the most intriguing and controversial religious time periods ever. New religions were created, there were religious wars, new monarchs, and huge long lasting effects on multiple countries. The Catholics and Protestants were the two religions to stand above the rest at the end of the religious struggle called the Reformation were religions was completely revolutionized. This quarrel lasted for almost all of the fifteenth century. Violence took over the Reformation and changed the religious world forever, making the Church one of the most powerful organizations.

Perhaps the most vital the of the religions in the Elizabethan Era was Catholicism and how it ruled over Europe.

Many people switched religions, due to the untrust of the Catholic church, which led to most of them converting to protestantism. Although Catholicism and Protestantism are branches of Christianity, they had many differences as well. The bibles were re-written to the language of its followers, so the ordinary people could read them, and be fully involved during church. Also, protestant followers believed that they could find god without meeting with a priest, unlike Catholic believers. And, they believed that god, and god only, could forgive them of their sins. The churches were created very blandly and were often quite plain compared to that of the Catholic church, which were always decorated with beautiful colors, shrines, and statues. One of the most notable marks of the reformation was how religious followers of both the Catholic and Protestant churches were persecuted. Protestants were persecuted more often and were slaughtered ruthlessly by being hung, drawn, quartered, beheaded and burned alive. ¨The convictions and beliefs in these different religions were so strong that they led to the executions of many adherents to both of these Elizabethan religions.¨ (Michael Stots, 24) Protestantism gained thousands of followers in the Reformation and gained power, even while thousands of followers were killed just for religious

While protestantism was gaining power throughout Europe and catholicism was losing power, the Catholic church actually gained power in Italy. Protestants were persecuted not only by the Catholic church, but by Italy´s leaders as well. Protestantism was considered a foreign religion, so it was not supported by the people, the government, or the church. The inquisition happened where thousands of people were killed just for being protestant, which was considered heresy at the time. Throughout the history of the world, governments and people always have a scapegoat to blame things on. In Italy, Protestants were the scapegoat for Italy. For example, a battle between Italy and France happened. Italy won, but the soldiers weren´t paid. This angered the soldiers, so they stormed Rome, caused destruction of buildings while terrorizing the population, and humiliating Pope Clement VII. This is known as the Sack of Rome, and the government blamed this on the Protestants, which fueled the hatred of Protestants throughout Italy. With everything stacked against them, the Protestants were wiped instantly. Protestantism and its followers were so persecuted that by 1600, it was near impossible to find a single Protestant