Short Note on Reformation

The Reformation was a major change in religious and cultural life during the 16th century. It was a time when people challenged the power of the Roman Catholic Church and wanted more freedom to think and believe differently. This movement started during the rule of King Henry VIII and continued through the reigns of Edward IV. Mary, Queen of Scotland, and Queen Elizabeth are known for the “Reformation Movement.” It was a time when people started to question the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church.

The Note will cover the following questions:

• Write a short note on Reformation.
• Why did the Reformation happen in England?

Religious Dissatisfaction: The Reformation is also called the Protestant Revolution because it led to the creation of the Protestant Church, which was separate from the Catholic Church. It wasn’t just about changing the Catholic Church but about breaking away from it completely. This movement had a huge impact on English society. It ended the Church’s control over the people, closed down monasteries, and created a new, more free-thinking society in England.

Corruption in the Catholic Church: Many people were unhappy with the Catholic Church because they believed it was corrupt. Some of the problems included the Church’s selling of indulgences and the way clergy members lived in luxury and held too much power. The famous writer Erasmus, in his book Praise of Folly, said, “By the people’s foolishness, kings are given power,” meaning that foolish people choose foolish rulers.

Henry VIII’s Marital Problems: King Henry VIII wanted to have a male child, but his wife, Catherine of Aragon, couldn’t give him one. When the Pope refused to let Henry divorce her, Henry broke away from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England (also called the Anglican Church), with himself as the leader.

The Reformation had a big influence on the literature of the English Renaissance, and understanding it helped us understand the literature of that time even better.