Anglicanism and the English Reformation Christianity in the 16th century

statue of richard hooker, emphases on reason, tolerance , inclusiveness influenced anglicanism.

anglican doctrine emerged interweaving of 2 main strands of christian doctrine during english reformation in 16th , 17th centuries. first strand catholic doctrine taught established church in england in 16th century. second strand range of protestant reformed teachings brought england neighbouring countries in same period, notably calvinism , lutheranism.

the church of england national branch of catholic church. formal doctrines had been documented in canon law on centuries, , church of england still follows unbroken tradition of canon law. english reformation did not dispense previous doctrines. church not retained core catholic beliefs common reformed doctrine in general, such trinity, virgin birth of jesus, nature of jesus human , god, resurrection of jesus, original sin, , excommunication (as affirmed thirty-nine articles), retained catholic teachings rejected true protestants, such 3 orders of ministry , apostolic succession of bishops.

unlike other reform movements, english reformation began royal influence. henry viii considered himself thoroughly catholic king, , in 1521 defended papacy against luther in book commissioned entitled, defence of 7 sacraments, pope leo x awarded him title fidei defensor (defender of faith). however, king came conflict papacy when wished annul marriage catherine of aragon, needed papal sanction. catherine, among many other noble relations, aunt of emperor charles v, papacy s significant secular supporter. ensuing dispute led break rome. in 1534, act of supremacy made henry supreme head of church of england. between 1535 , 1540, under thomas cromwell, policy known dissolution of monasteries put effect.

there notable opponents henrician reformation, such thomas more , bishop john fisher, executed opposition. there growing party of reformers imbued zwinglian , calvinistic doctrines. when henry died succeeded protestant son edward vi, who, through empowered councillors (with king being 9 years old @ succession , not yet sixteen @ death) duke of somerset , duke of northumberland, ordered destruction of images in churches, , closing of chantries. under edward vi reform of church of england established unequivocally in doctrinal terms. yet, @ popular level, religion in england still in state of flux. following brief roman catholic restoration during reign of mary 1553–1558, loose consensus developed during reign of elizabeth i, though point 1 of considerable debate among historians. yet so-called elizabethan religious settlement origins of anglicanism traditionally ascribed.

the political separation of church of england rome, beginning in 1529 , completed in 1536, brought england alongside broad reformed movement. however, religious changes in english national church proceeded more conservatively elsewhere in europe. reformers in church of england alternated centuries between sympathies catholic traditions , protestantism, progressively forging stable compromise between adherence ancient tradition , protestantism, called via media.

elizabeth i, queen of england , ireland.