English Reformation

The English reformation was unique. It cannot be described as a Lutheran, Zwinglian or Calvinist. It stands alone and fantastic compromise. John Wycliffe and his followers (Lolland) prepared the way for reformation. Also, the writing of Luther circulated throughout the land. The common idea of the English reformation is that it began because Henry VIII wanted a new wife, and to gain this he was forced to break with Rome. But while it is true that the reformation might have been delayed for many years and would certainly have followed a different course. The four Phases of English Reformation corresponding four reigns:

1st Phase Henry 8th:

Henry longed to have a son and in 1527 after living with Catherin for 18 years he wanted to divorce his wife and marry another woman, Anne Bolin. But the Pope did not sanction it. Because of Pope’s refusal of Henry’s appeal on the divorce of Catherin: (1) Henry broke with Rome and made himself the head of the English church (Now called the Anglican Church). (2) He confiscated the Catholic land, after braking. (3) With Rome Henry dissolved the monasteries of England. (4) The monastic land was sold to nobles and merchants. (5) Then he published ten articles which became the first doctrinal statement of the Church of England. Among this ten five dealt with doctrines and five with ceremonies/rituals the greatest of the contribution of these articles introducing a Bible in English and placed and real in parish church William Tyndale translation was used by the publication of King James Version (1611). It should be remembered that Henry did not provide a Protestant theology in England. He merely changed the headship of the English church from Pope to himself.

2nd Phase Edward 6th (1547-1553): 

Edward came to the throne when he was at 9 years old, when Henry 8th died. He ruled with the help of older men who were Protestants. There was a marked change during the reign of Edward 6th. Edward 6th dead by the age of 15th (1553) the central theme of Edwards reign was liturgical reform.

Contributions: (1) Liturgical Reform (2) A book of Communion was Prepared (3) A Prayer book, service books were Composed (4) The word minister was substituted for priest (5) The doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected (6) Marriage was allowed for the Clergy (7) Services were conducted in English (8) The mass and images were done away (9) The dogma was embodied (formulated) into 42 Articles which later modified into 39 articles of the Church of England. 

The central theme of Edwards reign was liturgical reform. The English reformers had two aims in mind: (1) To turn the Mass into a communion. (2) To render to English language and simplify the church services. Accordingly, in order to attain their aims the following measures were taken during the time of Edward 6th. (a) The book common prayer was a prayer. (b) The first prayer book of Edward 6th came in 1549. It was introduced by an out of uniformity in England. (c) The liturgy was revised in “second prayer book” of Edward 6th 1552. (d) The 42 articles were published after the liturgical question was settled the attention was given to dogma (doctrines) in the form of 42 articles.

3rd Phase Queen Mary’s (1553-1558): 

In 1553 king Edward 6th died at the age of 15 and his half-sister Mary was crowned as Queen in 1553. She tries to bring back the people to the old church (Roman Catholic Church) by persecution. She persecuted/compelled English parliament to nervures Henry 8th religious legislations or the acts which Henry 8th pars. Thus “the church of England” was brought once again within the Roman 

Catholic Church. Queen Mary reigns only five years. But during this reign, many Protestants fled from the country Three hundred Protestants martyrdom during her reign. Mary died in 1558 and Elizabeth succeeded her.

4thPhase Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603): 

She was the daughter of Henry 8th and Anne Boleyn. She reintroduced Protestantism in England. She became the Queen at the age of 25. Her Reformatory Measure: (1) Persecution came to an end (2) The Church of England was reestablished (3) According to “the Act of supremacy 1534” Elizabeth became the head of the English Church. But some of the bishops and priests refused to recognize the queen as the head of the church so they were deprived. But gradually the people who were appointed approved her position and Mathew Paker was appointed as the archbishop of Canterbury. In 1563 the Elizabeth and was completed and “church of England was established” in that lasted to present time. (4) Prisons were opened and the Protestants who were imprisoned were released. (5) The exiles were recalled. (6) Bible again stood in honor in the Pulpit. (7) The reformation brought the Bible to the English people in their own tongue (English) the Church of England in now called the Anglican Church. But the puritans look for the purification of the Anglican Church. So, they wanted to complete the reformation in England the puritan’s claim that Elizabeth did not complete her reforms or did not go far enough reforms. They were Calvinist in “theology and congregational in church government” later they were exiled from the Anglican Church. This led to the emigration or fleeing of many puritans to North America.