The Reformation

Introduction

The Reformation proceeded in England in two distinct stages. The first was limited and focused and was driven by King Henry VIII's desire to dump his wife Catherine in order to marry Anne Boleyn. This very secular desire is what led to a break with Rome and the creation of the Church of England. Church practices themselves, however, were not reformed much.

The second phase was quite long, arguably lasting until 1688 and the Glorious Revolution. This second phase was driven by the vexing question of how far reform should really proceed in England. At one extreme were English Catholics who wanted at least toleration for their faith and at best a return of England to the obedience of Rome. At the other extreme were Puritans and other radicals who not only would have nothing to do with the popes, but wanted complete religious freedom for themselves (not, however, for Catholics).

So, while England formally broke with Rome in the 1530s, the issue of reform was still burning a century later, and was one factor in the outbreak of the English Civil War.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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