Exam 1, Question 1The Protestant Reformation of the Church of England took place over a hundred years under the Tudor monarchy. Starting with Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon, the reform exposed deep rifts within English society. The radical efforts of Edward VI and Mary turned into religious persecution. It was left to Elizabeth, the last of the Tudor dynasty, to institute the final reforms and ensure the success of Protestantism within the Church of England. Henry VIII separated the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church for selfish reasons. Henry, frustrated by the delays and apologies received from Pope Clement VII, declared himself “protector and supreme head” of the Church of England. This effectively divided the Church of England from the Catholic Church. Henry could now request the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Although the Church of England no longer conformed to the Roman Catholic Church, it still remained Catholic in appearance and feeling. The only major change Henry implemented was the dissolution of the monasteries and nunneries. Since the monastic orders owed allegiance to the Pope, Henry could not tolerate them in England. Henry confiscated their lands and wealth and distributed them to his supporters. Unlike his father, Henry, Edward VI allowed radical changes within the Church of England. Edward came to the throne as a child and therefore his advisors, strong Protestants, influenced him greatly. They were incredibly motivated to reform the doctrines and rituals of the Church of England. Priests could officially marry. As the Latin services were exchanged for English ones, a new prayer book was published which i...... middle of paper ......the military background of its founder in his organization. The group's leader, the Black Pope, acted as a general and imposed strict discipline within the organization. Because of its missionary and educational role, the society encountered and confronted Protestants on a daily basis. The Counter-Reformation triggered by the Council of Trent and under the impetus of the Jesuits reinvigorated the Catholics. This new energy helped to spread Catholicism again to areas of Europe that had converted to Protestantism and to export the Catholic faith to the colonial establishments of the New World. Jesuit educational efforts brought more widespread literacy to Catholic areas. Counter-Reformation leaders also established a tradition of charity by preaching the benefits of almsgiving and the founding of orphanages. This provided shelter to the vast number of poor people.