Ep.131 - The Road to Reformation: Henry, Edward and Mary—English Reformation Pt.1

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Who was Henry VIII and how did he come to power? Why did his marriage to Catherine of Aragon get into to trouble? Who was Anne Boleyn and why did she become such a significant influence among the Protestants and yet simultaneously such a thorn in Henry’s side? How did Henry’s only son Edward influence the charge of the reformation, and what were the unthinkable consequences of his early death and the ascension of his half sister Mary to the throne?

The English reformation was beautiful, glamorous and intriguing whilst also exceedingly ugly, scary and brutal. Henry’s departure from the Roman Church was epochal. It changed everything. What he started would change the face of english religion, the monarchy and politics. When Edward succeeded his father, he would accelerate the reformation whilst becoming the Pope’s public enemy number one. With Edward’s unexpected premature death, came the arrival of his half sister Mary who promptly set about undoing everything Edward had built.

In this ninth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team take a walk through the lives of three of the largest and most influential characters who shaped the English reformation. Henry, Edward and Mary. Looking at their ups and downs, their truths and contradictions. This week the team place the complexity and power of the English reformation under the microscope. Join the team this week as they traverse England’s part in the sixteenth century

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
The Reformation in England and Scotland - Britannica.com

How the English Reformation Silenced a Noisy Generous Way of Life - ProspectMagazine.co.uk

The Reformation in England - StFrncis.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation

Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)

Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther

Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther

Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame

Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation

Bruce Gordon — Calvin

Jane Dawson — John Knox

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin: Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

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