Why do we Study Religion when we study History?

• Historically there is a gray area between the power of kings (Politics) and the power of the Church (Religion)• Many of the great and powerful men from the

past were both members of the King’s government and members of the church• So when you study history you must study

religion because both politics and religion are inexplicably linked

The Power of the Church• During the Middle Ages

the power of the Church was immense• In fact, the most

powerful person in all of Europe was not a king, queen, emperor, or empress – It was the Pope!• So where did that power

come from?

Power and Wealth• Much of the Catholic’s

church’s power was based upon the wealth that it possessed

• Wealth = Power• With everyone in Europe

paying 1/10 of their income to the Church (the Tithe) it is not surprising that they were so wealthy

• In addition, the Church was the largest landholder in all of Europe

• Land = Money = Power

The Power of Education• When kings were

looking for educated people to fill important posts in their government they often looked to clergy members• Hence, a lot of the

most powerful men in the king’s government were also powerful men in the Church

The Importance of Religion amongst the People

• The power of the church was also based on its massive followership• Most Europeans

were devout and attended Church• It was expected of

you

The Church and Fear• Those people who did

not attend Church were viewed with suspicion• It was not in your best

interests to be labeled a heretic or infidel• Frequently such people

were persecuted terribly

The decline of the Catholic Church

• In the late Middle Ages, however, the power of the Catholic Church and the Pope declined

• The Protestant Reformation led to the creation of new churches that were separate and apart from the Catholic Church

• The Reformation created many Protestant alternatives to the Roman Catholic Church

• Suddenly the Roman Catholic church was no longer the “One and only church”

• Not everyone paid the tithe to the Church• Not everyone was obedient to the pope anymore• The Pope was no longer the most powerful man in the land

The Protestants: New Kids on the Block

• So who were these New Kids on the Block (Protestants)

• They were still Christians• Still believed in God, they

still believed in Jesus and they still believed in the bible, but did not see the Pope as their religious leader

• Believed churches and church services should be plain and simple

• Believed that the bible was the word of God and did not believe the Pope or the clergy were worthy Christian authorities

A Whole lot of Christians• Catholics Protestants

•Anglicans•Lutherans•Presbyterians, •Anabaptists,•Methodists,•Puritans

Strength in Numbers?

• Not really• Protestants were not united except in

their opposition and hatred toward the Catholic Church• They hated the Catholics the most, but

often they didn’t like one another either

England: A Different Kind of Protestant

• In England the Protestant Movement developed differently

• In Europe, the protestant movement evolved because of dissatisfaction with the Roman Catholic Church

• So reformers like Martin Luther protested against the Catholic Church and demanded that it change

• When they wouldn’t, new and different Protestant Churches were created

That Crazy Man of History• The Protestant Church came

into being in England because of the amorous desires of one crazy man: King Henry VIII

• During his life time Henry acquired six wives, two of whom he had beheaded

• Henry VIII is one of the most intriguing figures in history

• He changed the world forever• But how he changed the

world had a lot to do with the wives he married and then disposed of

Catherine of Aragon• Henry’s first wife was a

Spanish princess: Catherine of Aragon

• Catherine was the prized daughter of the most powerful monarch in the world the time, Spanish King Ferdinand II

• Catherine produced a daughter, Mary, but was not able to produce what Henry wanted the most: a son

The Bewitchment• Henry became very

much enamored of a beautiful young woman: Anne Boleyn• Henry, very much

wanting a son, requested that the Church give him a divorce from Catherine

The Church says no!• Getting a divorce in the

16th century was not easy• Catherine was the

daughter of the Spanish King, the most powerful monarch in Europe• Pope Clement VII,

fearing the wrath of the Spanish, refused Henry’s request

Fine, I will create my own Church!

• The pope’s refusal to grant Henry a divorce made him resort to extreme measures• Since the Church would not grant him a divorce,

Henry decided to create his own Protestant Church• He created the Church of England or the

Anglican Church• Instead of the pope being the head of this

church, Henry would be

A Footnote• Henry’s infatuation with Anne

would eventually end• Anne produced a daughter

(Elizabeth) but no son• Anne was executed for

witchcraft on May 19, 1536• Shortly afterwards, Henry

would marry Jane Seymour, the only woman to produce a son for him (Edward)

Different Church, Same practices

• Although Henry had created a Protestant Church, in practice it remained much the same as the Catholic Church• The only difference really was who was the head

of it: instead of the Pope it was now the king of England• Unlike the new plain and simple Protestant

Churches, the Church of England still had richly decorated churches and complicated services• Even today, Catholic and Anglican Churches are

very similar

The True Protestant Movement in England

• While Henry created a Catholic-like Protestant Church, there was a more traditional Protestant movement in England

• This protestant faith was very similar to the one created by Luther in Europe

• There were many different Protestant denominations of this type, but the most powerful were the …..

The Puritans• Hated the Catholic

Church with a passion• Since Anglican

Church was very “catholic” they hated them as well• Plain and simple

churches

Puritan Beliefs and Lifestyle• Their lifestyle was quite somber• Wore dark clothing• Led dull, sober lives• Disapproved of drinking,

gambling, dancing, theater and even Christmas (Saturnalia)

• Believed that people needed to devote every waking moment of their life to prayer

• Believed that stern laws were needed to prevent people from straying into sin

• Believe it or not, Puritanism was very popular among the Middle Class during this period

Stuart Kings versus Puritans• The Stuart Kings hated the

Puritans and vice-versa• King James vowed to “harry

them out of the land”• Many became pilgrims and

immigrated to the Americas i.e. the Mayflower, Plymouth Rock

• These Pilgrim/Puritans would get back at the English in a big way by sparking the American Revolution

The Puritans: A Force to be Reckoned with

• In spite of the persecution, however, many Puritans would choose to stay• They were heavily

represented in the middle class dominated House of Commons of Parliament

Puritans: A force to be reckoned with

• Puritans would become the key opponents of the king during the English Civil War • The Puritan led

Parliament would win the English Civil War• The Puritans would have

King Charles I’s head