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Year 8 - History

Zwingli, Calvin and the Swiss Reformation

Henry VIII and the Reformation: how unusual was the English Reformation?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the European Reformation and its influence on Henry VIII's break with Rome. In doing so, pupils compare the English Reformation to the ones experienced on the continent.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how the Church split into different groups and the beliefs they held.

Key Notes

  • The printing press helped to spread Luther's ideas around Europe.
  • Different people took up Luther's ideas and added to them.
  • Zwingli believed that icons, relics and music distracted people from worship and should be removed.
  • Groups of Protestants emerged who believed in the views of different leaders like Zwingli and Luther.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • reformer/reformist: someone who tries to change and improve something, such as a religion
  • Catholic: a Christian who believes that the pope has authority over the Church
  • Protestant: a member of a Western Church which does not recognise the pope as its head
  • Reformation: a 16th century movement calling for the reform of the Church
  • transubstantiation: the teaching that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist become the body and blood of Christ

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Protestantism is a single unified religion.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The printing press helped to spread Luther's ideas around Europe. Different people took up Luther's ideas and added to them.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'reformer/reformist'

someone who tries to change and improve something, such as a religion.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Protestantism is a single unified religion. Correction: There are, today, thousands of different Christian denominations that can be considered versions of Protestantism. Almost from its very inception, Protestantism split into a variety of competing belief systems.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 History guide library.