Protestant Reformation Timeline

(1517 - 1648)

The Protestant Reformation was a major religious movement in 16th-century Europe that resulted in the division of Western Christianity into Catholic and Protestant branches. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Reformation Leaders

Printing Press Revolutionizes Communication

1450

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg allows for the mass production of books and pamphlets, facilitating the spread of Reformation ideas.

Image source: Printing press

Martin Luther's 95 Theses

Oct 31, 1517

Martin Luther, a German theologian and monk, publicly posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, challenging the Catholic Church's practices and sparking the Protestant Reformation.

Image source: Ninety-five Theses

Diet of Worms

Apr 18, 1521

Martin Luther appears before the Imperial Diet in Worms, Germany, to defend his beliefs but refuses to recant, leading to his excommunication by the Catholic Church.

Image source: Diet of Worms

Conflicts and Wars

Spanish Inquisition

1478

The Spanish Inquisition is established by the Catholic Monarchs, aimed at rooting out heresy and enforcing religious conformity in Spain and its territories.

Image source: Spanish Inquisition

Witch Trials

1500 - 1699

The period of the Reformation witnesses a surge in witch trials across Europe, as religious and social anxieties contribute to the persecution of individuals accused of witchcraft.

Image source: Witch-hunt

Zwingli's Death in Battle of Kappel

Oct 11, 1531

Huldrych Zwingli, a Swiss reformer, is killed in the Battle of Kappel, a conflict between Catholic and Protestant cantons in Switzerland.

Image source: Second War of Kappel

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Aug 24, 1572

A targeted wave of violence against French Huguenots begins on the eve of St. Bartholomew's Day, resulting in the massacre of thousands of Protestants in France.

Thirty Years' War Begins

May 23, 1618

The Bohemian Revolt against the Habsburgs marks the beginning of the Thirty Years' War, a religious conflict that engulfs much of Europe and devastates the German states.

Image source: Thirty Years' War

English Civil War

1642

The English Civil War erupts between supporters of the monarchy (Royalists) and supporters of Parliament (Parliamentarians), further fueling religious and political tensions.

Image source: English Civil War

Doctrinal and Theological Developments

Anabaptist Movement Grows

1525

The Anabaptist movement, characterized by adult baptism and a separation of church and state, gains momentum across Europe.

Image source: Anabaptism

Augsburg Confession

Jun 25, 1530

The Augsburg Confession, drafted by Philipp Melanchthon, is presented to Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg, outlining the key beliefs of the Lutheran movement.

John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion

Mar 22, 1536

John Calvin publishes the first edition of his influential work, "Institutes of the Christian Religion," which becomes a foundational text of Reformed theology.

Image source: Institutes of the Christian Religion

John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion

Counter-Reformation

1545

The Catholic Church launches the Counter-Reformation, a series of reforms aimed at addressing the criticisms of the Protestant Reformation and revitalizing Catholicism.

Council of Trent

Dec 13, 1545

The Council of Trent, convened by the Catholic Church, begins a series of meetings to address the Protestant Reformation, resulting in reaffirmation of Catholic doctrine and reforms within the Church.

Image source: Council of Trent

Political and Social Impact

English Reformation

1534

King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church leads to the establishment of the Church of England, marking the beginning of the English Reformation.

Image source: English Reformation

Act of Supremacy

Nov 3, 1534

The English Parliament passes the Act of Supremacy, declaring King Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, establishing the break from the authority of the Pope.

Image source: Acts of Supremacy

Calvinist Geneva

1541

John Calvin establishes a theocratic government in Geneva, Switzerland, implementing strict moral and religious laws based on his interpretation of Protestant theology.

Image source: Geneva

Peace of Augsburg

Sep 25, 1555

The Peace of Augsburg is signed, officially recognizing the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, granting German princes the right to determine the religion of their territories.

Image source: Peace of Augsburg

Edict of Nantes

Apr 13, 1598

King Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, granting limited religious freedom to French Protestants and ending the Wars of Religion.

Image source: Edict of Nantes

Peace of Westphalia

Oct 24, 1648

The Peace of Westphalia is signed, ending the Thirty Years' War and establishing the principle of state sovereignty, marking a turning point in European diplomacy.

Image source: Peace of Westphalia

Key Facts

Martin Luther sparked the Reformation with his 95 Theses, which criticized the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences.
The Reformation led to the establishment of Protestant churches, such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism.
The Council of Trent was a significant Catholic response to the Reformation, aimed at addressing corruption within the Church and reaffirming Catholic doctrine.
The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 marked the end of the Reformation-era conflicts and recognized the principle of religious toleration.
The Reformation had profound social and political consequences, including the Wars of Religion and the rise of national identities.

Source

This Protestant Reformation timeline was generated with the help of AI using information found on the internet.

We strive to make these timelines as accurate as possible, but occasionally inaccurates slip in. If you notice anything amiss, let us know at [email protected] and we'll correct it for future visitors.

Create a timeline like this one for free

Preceden lets you create stunning timelines using AI or manually.

Try it For Free