REFORMATION
Is the name given to a group of religious movements of the sixteenth century launched by the
Christians against the various drawbacks of the church and objectionable practices of the clergyman
Main target, highest authority—Pope
Roman Catholics— people who wanted to stay with pope
Protestants—people who broke away from the church
Reformation countries—England, Czechoslovakia, Scotland, France, Germany and Switzerland
Many protestants from different countries didn’t share the same beliefs and rituals
Extreme Protestantism was Calvinism
Presbyterianism—Scotland
Puritanism—England
CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION:
Church became a hierarchical organization headed by the pope. Soon people were dissatisfied with
the church’s practices which paved way for reformation.
Church Practices (CRIME):
C— corruption in the church
In the beginning the church led an exemplary life and had respect in society
As time passed moral decay crept into the functioning of the church
Clergymen lacked education and lived a luxurious life ignoring their religious duties
The church promised salvation in exchange for fees
They could declare a marriage lawful or unlawful
There were fees for births, deaths, fees for the peace of the soul and fees for the souls of the
departed
Desiderius Erasmus, Dutch philosopher and humanist exposed the church in his book “In Praise of
Folly”
R—ruler’s resentment
Kings were pissed at the Pope for interfering with the political affairs
They were in favor of the reformation as it weakened the authority of the church
The rulers of Europe fought with the popes over the royal right to tax the church property
The papacy was defeated
Philip IV forced Pope clement V to leave his headquarters and move to Avignon because he was
interfering in the political affairs
King Henry VIII didn’t care about the pope
He got the church lands and passed an Act for the dissolution of monasteries where if the small
monasteries didn’t make at least 200 euros a year all the land, building and money would be taken
by the crown.
Another Act was passed later for large monasteries.
The monasteries were one of the wealthiest institutions in the country
King Henry was a huge diva and had a lavish lifestyle and went for wars so he became Kangal
By destroying the monastic system, he got paisa and weakened the influence of pope
I—Immediate Cause
Long before many tried to protest the church but were crushed with a heavy hand.
Martin Luther, German priest launched a movement against the church and pope.
M—movements against church
Anti-Church movements began
John Wycliffe, English priest and prof at oxford criticized the worldliness and practices of the church
He laid emphasis on the bible as the sole guide for salvation
Church didn’t like this and ordered for his expulsion from oxford
E—economic factors
Church was Richie rich because of its properties
Tithe- one tenth of a persons’ salary would go to the church
They also collected more money called Peter’s Pence
Pope Leo X wanted to build St. Peter’s Church
So, the church started giving out Letters of Indulgences these were letters which remitted
punishment of the sinners who bought them, both in this life and after death.
Normally the priests’-imposed punishments or penance in which the sinner would have to do a
special service or make a pilgrimage in a holy place
But now all they had to do was pay for the letter and they would be free of their sins
Simony- the church offices were given to the highest bidder
NEW LEARNING:
The spread of new learning and spirit of enquiry were developed by the renaissance scholars
Printing press and bible in vernacular languages brought a new outlook
People started to question everything including the authority of the church
They started disliking the practices and rituals if the church and the life of the clergymen.
Nobles and merchants were jealous of the wealth of the church
The common man looked upon the church taxes with contempt
MARTIN LUTHER’S CONTRIBUTION:
