Reformation and Counter Reformation Timeline
By: Josephine Ames
1517
1520
1509
1512
Henry VIII became King of England; he was a devout Catholic
Pope Leo X threatened to excommunicate Luther unless he took 95 Theses down. Luther did not obey and was excommunicated.
Martin Luther taught Scripture at the University of Wittenberg (his intentions were not to begin a revolution but to only be a 'good' Catholic).
- Luther made a public stand against indulgences (Friar John Tetzel demanded indulgences to raise money to rebuild St. Peter's Cathedral).
- October 31, 1517- Luther posted 95 Theses on the Wittenberg church doors.
- John Calvin, who was 8 years old when Luther posted the 95 Theses, was very influenced by Luther's actions against the church.
1522
1521
1524
1527
Luther returned to Wittenberg and discovered many of his ideas had already been put to practice. His followers became a separate religious group called the Lutherans.
- Henry VIII was convinced that one of his wives, Catherine of Aragon wouldn't have any more children so he wanted a divorce.
- Henry asked the Pope to annul his marriage, but the Pope refused.
Luther's revolutionary ideas were applied to society. German peasants demanded an end to serfdom. Riots and violence broke out. Luther was horrified at the revolt.
- Holy Roman Emperor Charles V opposed Luther's teaching and summoned him to the town of Worms to stand trial. Luther still refused to take back his statements.
- Henry also did not agree with Luther's ideas because he was still a devout Catholic.
- Henry wrote an attack on Martin's ideas.
1533-1537
1541
1529
1547
- Calvin led the Reformation in Switzerland, he believed in theocracy. Protestants in Geneva asked him to lead their city.
- Calvin led strict rules, governed 20,000 people.
- Henry secretly married Anne Boleyn and shortly after, his divorce was legalized.
- 1534- Act of Supremacy, Henry's break with the Pope. Act of Supremacy called on people to take ab oath recognizing the divorce and accepting Henry as the official head o England's Church.
- 1536- John Calvin published Institutes of Religion, expresses his ideas about God, salvation and human nature.
- 1537- Henry's 3rd wife, Jane Seymour, gave Henry a son named Edward.
- Many Northern Princes had begun to advocate Luther's ideas, but the German Prince, who remained loyal to the Pope, joined forces against Luther's ideas. The protesting Princes became known as Protestants.
- Henry wanted to pass a set of laws that ended the Pop's power in England ( Reformation Parliament).
- Henry VIII died. His 3 children ruled England, in order. His son Edward was only nine when he got the throne and was guided by devout Protestant advisers which created religious turmoil.
- Holy Roman Emperor Charles V went to war against Protestant Prince because he still believed that his subjects would remain Catholic.
1553
1559-1560s
August 24, 1572
1555
Henry's ex-wife, Catherine of Aragon, took the throne.
Weary of fighting, Charles V ordered German Protestant/Catholic Princes in Augsburg where each ruler could decide the religion of his state. Known as the Peace of Augsburg.
- Man named John Knox put Calvin's ideas to work.
- Protestants held by Knox made Calvanism Scotland's official religion.
Most violent clash between Catholics and Hugoenots (Calvin's followers) happened in Paris. As many as 12,000 of Calvin's followers were killed.