1517

95 Theses

Martin Luther (1483-1546) posts his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenburg Cathedral, in protest at the Catholic doctrine of indulgences and formally begins the Protestant Reformation.

1519

Leipzig Debate

Luther debates Johann Eck (1486-1543), arguing that sola scriptura (scripture alone) is the basis for Christian faith and doctrine.

1520

Luther publishes three monumental works, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and On the Freedom of a Christian.

In The Christian Nobility of the German Nation, Luther outlined the doctrine of the Priesthood of all believers and denied the authority of the Pope to interpret, or confirm interpretation of the Bible.

1521 (Jan-May)

Diet of Worms

Luther appears at the Diet before Charles V, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to to answer charges of heresy. On refusing to recant, he is declared a heretic and formally excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X.

Frederick III, Elector of Saxony ensures that Luther is taken to the Wartburg Castle for his own safety.

1521 (October)

Defender of the Faith

After writing Assertio Septem Sacramentorum (Defence of the Seven Sacraments) in opposition to Luther, Henry VIII of England is rewarded with the title Fidei Defensor (Defender of the Faith) by Pope Leo X.

1522

German Bible

While at the Wartburg castle, Luther works on a translation of the Bible into German and publishes his New Testament translation (The Old Testament translation is posted later, in 1534).

1526

English Bible

William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536) publishes a translation of the New Testament in English.

1529

Marburg Colloquy

Luther meets the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) to discuss the issue of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Both parties are unable to come to an agreement, with Luther defending his view of a Sacramental Union of the body and blood and the bread and wine as opposed to the symbolic view of Zwingli.

1530

Augsburg Confession

Publication of the Confessio Augustana or Augsburg Confession, outlining Lutheran theology and practice.

1531

Death of Ulrich Zwingli

Following conflict between the Catholic and Protestant cantons of the Swiss confederacy, Zwingli is killed during the Battle of Kappel.

1533

English Reformation

The marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in defiance of the Catholic church. Henry later marries Anne Boleyn.

1534

Society of Jesus

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) founds the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) order as part of the Catholic counter-reformation. Parts of Poland, Hungry and Germany are reconverted from Protestantism to Catholicism.

1534 (November)

Act of Supremacy

Henry VIII becomes supreme head of the Church in England, which separates from the Roman Catholic Church.

1535

Thomas More

Thomas More (1478-1535) is executed on the orders of Henry VIII for refusing to support the English Reformation.

1536

Tyndale executed

William Tyndale burnt at the stake for heresy. His final words were: Lord! Open the King of England's eyes.

1536

Calvin's Insitutes

John Calvin (1509-1564) publishes (in Latin) his work of Systematic Theology: Institutes of the Christian Religion.

1536-40

Dissolution of the Monasteries

Henry VIII disbands monasteries, convents, priories and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland.

1545-63

Council of Trent

The 19th Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church is held to reform and clarify doctrine. It repudiated Protestantism and led to the issuing of a Catechism in 1566.

1546

Luther dies

Martin Luther dies at the age of 62, in Eisleben, Germany. His final words: We are beggars: this is true.

1549

Book of Common Prayer

Publication of the first version of the Book of Common Prayer in the Church of England.

1555

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty grants toleration to Lutherans within the Holy Roman Empire using the principle of cuius regio, eius religio or "Whose region, his religion".

1560

Geneva Bible

Publication of the Geneva Bible - the first translation in English to use verse and chapter divisions.

1563

39 Articles

The 39 Articles of the Church of England are first published, giving a summary of Anglican doctrine and practice. They were prceeded by the 42 Articles of 1552, written largely by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556).

1564

Death of John Calvin

Calvin dies and is succeeded by Theodore Beza.

1598

Edict of Nantes

French Protestants (Huguenots) are granted toleration by Henry IV in the Edict.

1611

King James Bible

Publication of the KJV or Authorised Version, a translation for the Church of England.

1618-9

Synod of Dort

The Dutch Reformed Church holds the synod to discuss the issues raised by the supporters of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). At the Synod, Five point Calvinism is upheld in opposition to Arminianism.

1685

Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

Louis XIV (1638-1715) revokes the edict, leading to an exodus of Protestants from France.