In this sprint through British church history, you’ll learn about King Henry VIII and his staggering Act of Supremacy when he pulled the Church of England out of Catholicism and appointed himself the head of the church. After Henry’s death, England swayed back and forth as Henry’s successors adopted Protestantism then Catholicism then Protestantism again. Still none of this tumult compares to the chaos of the English Civil War a century later when a Protestant Parliament executed a too Catholic King Charles I for treason and initiated stringent Puritanical laws throughout the land. You’ll also learn about the persistent and tenacious John Knox who was instrumental in bringing the Reformation to Scotland.
Catherine of Aragon (m. 1503), mother of Mary Tudor
The Great Issue: could not divorce her to marry mistress Ann Bolin
1534: Act of Supremacy (Henry declared “Supreme Head” of the church
Ann Bolin (m. 1533), mother of Elizabeth
Jane Seymour (m. 1536), mother of Edward
Anne of Cleves (m. 1540)
Catherine Howard (m. 1540)
Catherine Parr (m. 1543)
Religious Policies
Ostensibly Catholic, apart from his great issue (Cardinal Wolsey)
Dissolution of monasteries and shrines
200 hangings of people who resisted Henry’s royal assertions as head of the church
Six Articles (1539) affirmed traditional Catholic understandings of
Transubstantiation, no cup for laity during communion, chastity for clergy, private Masses, confession
William Tyndale (1495-1536)
Languages: Greek, Latin, French, German, Spanish, Italian, English
1521 – ordained a Catholic priest
1522 – he was called before John Bell—chancellor of the diocese of Worcester but was released
“We were better to be without God’s laws than the pope’s.” Master Tyndale, hearing this, full of godly zeal and not bearing that blasphemous saying, replied, “I defy the pope, and all his laws;” and added, “If God spared my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture than thou doest.”
1523 – he went to Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall to ask permission to translate the Scriptures
1524 – he fled England to the continent possibly to study at Wittenberg (12 years a fugitive)
1525 – he finished the NT
1526 – the NT was printed in Worms and Antwerp
1526 – Tunstall had as many copies as he could find publicly burned
1529 – Cardinal Wolsey condemned Tyndale as a heretic
1530 – he finished the Torah (Gen-Deut)
1530 – he wrote The Practice of the Prelates, opposing Henry VIII’s divorce as unscriptural
1531 – he finished Jonah
1534 – a new edition of the NT published (thoroughly revised)
1535 – Henry Philips gained Tyndale’s trust and friendship and betrayed him to the authorities.
Letter from Tyndale to overseer of the castle in September: “I believe, most excellent Sir, that you are not unacquainted with the decision reached concerning me. On which account, I beseech your lordship, even by the Lord Jesus, that if I am to pass the winter here, to urge upon the lord commissary, if he will deign, to send me from my goods in his keeping a warmer cap, for I suffer greatly from cold in the head, being troubled with a continual catarrh, which is aggravated in this prison vault. A warmer coat also, for that which I have is very thin. Also cloth for repairing my leggings. My overcoat is worn out; the shirts also are worn out. He has a woolen shirt of mine, if he will please send it. I have also with him leggings of heavier cloth for overwear. He likewise has warmer nightcaps: I also ask for leave to use a lamp in the evening, for it is tiresome to sit alone in the dark.But above all, I beg and entreat your clemency earnestly to intercede with the lord commissary, that he would deign to allow me the use of my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Lexicon, and that I might employ my time with that study. Thus likewise may you obtain what you most desire, saving that it further the salvation of your soul. But if, before the end of winter, a different decision be reached concerning me, I shall be patient, and submit to the will of God to the glory of the grace of Jesus Christ my Lord, whose spirit may ever direct your heart. Amen.”
1536 – Tied to a stake, strangled by executioner, and then burned
Last words: “Lord open the king of England’s eyes”
Three years later, the King and archbishop signed off on Coverdale’s Bible
Edward VI (r. 1547-1553)
Council ruled in his name since he was never of age
Supported more Protestant teachings
Allowed printing of Protestant propaganda
Protestant literature exploded
Book of Common Prayer (1549, 1552)
42 Articles (1553): English confession similar to Augsburg Confession of Luther
Abolished clerical celibacy
Abolished Mass (Thomas Cranmer was behind this)
Mary Tudor (r. 1553-1558)
Tried to re-establish Catholicism
People fled to the continent
Geneva Bible 1560
Executed 282 Protestant s (hence, the name bloody Mary)
John Foxe’s Acts and Monuments (known as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) documents many of these and was written during this time
Married Philip II, king of Spain (undermined popular support)
Elizabeth (r. 1558-1603)
Raised Protestant (like her mother)
Started religious reforms immediately
Act of Uniformity (1559): reestablished Church of England
Changed title from “supreme head” to “supreme governor,” which meant the same but was less theologically offensive
Book of Common Prayer (1559)
Thirty-Nine Articles (a revision of Edward’s Forty-Two Articles)
Reformed Position on Lord’s Supper with no real presence
Moderate religious policy
Executed fewer people in 45 years than Mary did in 5
Calvin (d. 1564) considered Elizabeth’s England as a true reformed church, yet not as pure as one would desire
Via Media: middle way between Lutheran and Reformed, though
Puritans were those who wanted to purify the C of E to be more Reformed/Calvinist (believed reformation was not yet complete in England)
Wanted more preaching in worship
Wanted education/catechetical instruction
Wanted to eliminate traditional vestments, postures, gestures, images, and statues in churches
James (r. 1603-1625)
In the 1610s and 1620s, Arminianism came to England from Holland
Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609)
1618-1619 – Synod of Dort condemned Arminius’ teachings and defined the 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP) we know today
A century later, John Wesley agreed with Arminius, and it is one of the dominant theological systems in the US today b/c of his influence
James did not fight against this Arminianism
Authorized revision of the Bishop’s Bible in 1611
Intended to counteract popular and anti-monarchical Geneva Bible
No marginal notes
Kings free from restraint (absolute rule) b/c God put them in this position
Charles I (r. 1625-1649)
Angered the Puritans by marrying a French Catholic, filling vacant bishoprics w/ Arminians, Attacking Calvinism, openly tolerating Catholics at his court, and having clergy wear white gown
Tried to do everything without involving Parliament (no Parliament from 1629-1640)
Raised taxes to pay for a war with Scotland
Had to call Parliament to session
They never disbanded for years (1640-1653)
1641 – Presbyterians split from Puritans b/c they want to get rid of bishops
1642-1646 – first civil war (between royalists and parliamentarians)
1646 – Parliament wins and captures Charles I
Westminster Confession (1646)
Parliament adopts this Calvinist statement instead of 39 articles
1647-1649 – tremendous turmoil ended with execution of Charles I, abolition of the monarchy, and abolition of the House of Lords (House of Commons had all power)
Commonwealth (1649-1660)
1649-1658 – Oliver Cromwell is primary political leader (called “Lord Protector” 1653-8)
He was the military leader of parliamentary army
Cromwell was a Congregationalist
1654 – established a state church w/o book of common prayer
More tolerant than Presbyterian church of 1646
Readmitted Jews to England (first time since 13th)
1640s-1650s – tolerance allows unprecedented proliferation of radical groups
Cromwell died of natural causes
Puritan Parliament
Sabbath on Sunday (no tennis, no theatre going, etc.)
Unpopular with population
Two years later, people restored monarchy to Charles II
Charles II (r. 1660-1685)
Restored Parliament; persecuted Puritans
BCP restored: determined C of E’s liturgy
Favored Catholicism, though popular sentiment was against him
Swear allegiance to the king
James II (r. 1685-88)
Wanted greater toleration because he was a Catholic
William (r. 1689-1702) & Mary (r. 1689-1694)
Parliament invites William of Orange (Dutch king) to invade England and take over
James flees, and William becomes king of England
King’s power henceforth limited by Parliament
1689 Toleration Act
Have to accept William & Mary
Have to accept 39 articles
No worries about polity (Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, etc.)
Scotland
1559-1560 – reformation occurs in Scotland
Three causes
1) Slow growth of Protestantism in previous decades
2) Dynastic politics and international relations
3) Preaching and insistence of John Knox (1514?-1572)
1520s – Protestantism first arrived in Scotland
1546 – Cardinal David Beaton persecuted Protestants
1547 – John Knox is involved in takeover of St. Andrews Castle in retaliation against Beaton
Captured by French and becomes a galley prisoner for 2 years
1549 – Knox released by French and goes to England
1552 – objects to prayer book and refused a bishopric during Edward’s reign
1553 – when Mary came to power, Knox fled to Geneva to spend time with Calvin
1555-1556 – Knox visits Scotland and spurs on Protestants
1556 – kicked out of Scotland and burned in effigy by Scottish bishops
1558 – published radical treatises justifying political resistance to an ungodly ruler
1558 – Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots) married French prince Francis II
Caused some people to worry about French takeover of Scotland
1559 – Knox came back to Scotland and preached against Catholicism (associated w/ French)
1559 – King Henry II of France died along with Francis II, leaving the country in turmoil
1560 – Elizabeth sends an army to Scotland, which gives support to Scottish Reformation Parliament to establish Calvinist Protestantism
1561 – Mary Stuart returned to Scotland and couldn’t change things
She remained a Catholic, and her court was Catholic
