Henry VIII was impelled to quarrel with the Papacy owing to the desire to dissolve his marriage with Catherine of Aragon. He also wanted to prevent the interference of foreign powers in the national and international affairs of the country. By initiating the Reformation, Henry VIII intended to change the organization of the Church, its doctrines and methods regarding worship. The doctrines and practices of Luther and Calvin arose only later. Historically Henry VIII was the first to resist the Catholic Church.

Mary undid all of Henry’s reformation. She secured the reconciliation of England to Rome. She married a Stuart Catholic and tried to enforce Catholicism on English people. Her successor, Elizabeth maintained the compromise policy i.e., she combined the principles of both faiths and established the "Anglican Church." She personally supported the Protestant movement in Europe.

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Index

1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Modern Age in the History of Europe
1.2 Renaissance in Italy 1.3 The Geographical Explorations of the 15th and the 16th centuries
1.4 The Tudor Dynasty
1.5 Henry VII - the Founder of the Tudor Dynasty
1.6 Henry VIII (1509-1547)
1.7 The Reign of Edward VI (1547-1553)
1.8 Mary Tudor (1553-1558)
1.9 Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
1.10 Reformation in Europe
1.11 Reformation in Germany : Efforts of Martin Luther
1.12 The Official Instatement of Protestantism
1.13 Calvinism
1.14 Reformation in England
1.15 Counter Reformation
1.16 Legacy of the Reformation
1.17 Points to Remember

Chapter 2