The Origins of Puritanism in England I

The early years of the Reformation in England were centered around the policies of Henry VIII. Although his motivation was chiefly that of dynastic succession, Henry inaugurated the official reformation of the English church. His contribution was to establish the English sovereign as the head of the church in place of the pope. He had no interest in doctrinal reform--he was to remain Roman Catholic in belief and practice to the end of his life and fought bitterly against what he considered Luther's "innovations." But inevitably his split from Roman headship brought a more reforming spirit into the English church leadership, a trend that accelerated under the short reign of the more conscientiously Protestant Edward VI and his advisors.

Tomorrow: Mary Tudor.