Edward Reformation Timeline

Edwardian Reformation Timeline

January 1547 - Edward VI Succeeded his father after his death with his Uncle Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset as his Protectorate​​​​​​.

August 1547 - Somerset issued Royal Injusctions banning religious processions, rosaries, prayer candles and holy water. this led to increased violence against Churches and the mass destruction of Churches and their property.

December 1547 - The Sacrament Act was passed allowing everyone to partake in Holy Communion - previously Catholic Priests drank the wine and the congregation ate the bread. The Chantries Act was also passed which led to Chantry Houses being abolished and the government seizing their property. this was significant as it removed the Catholics right to mass and praying for the dead.

January 1549 - ​ The first Act of Uniformity is passed implementing the first Book of Common Prayer of Edward's reign.

Summer 1549 - The Cornish Rebellion occurred due to the new Church reforms and poll tax on sheep. The rebels were defeated by Somerset and the English Army in August 1549 with 5,500 lives lost.

October 1549 - Somerset was removed from office due to noble's losing faith in his leadership. John Dudley, Earl of Warwick asserted himself the role of Duke of Northumberland and the King's Protector.

1550-1551 - Edward ordered that alters should be removed from all Churches and replaced with tables.Those who preferred Henry VIII's church structure were removed from their positions.

January 1552 - Somerset was executed due to his participation in a plot to murder John Dudley.

April 1552 - The second Act of Uniformity was passed implementing the second Book of Common Prayer.

1552 - 1533 - Cranmer revised canon law and presented the Forty Two Articles to Parliament. Inspections were conducted in English Churches to ensure the new Prayer Book was being enforced. During this, Churches were also stripped of any decoration including altar clothes and chalices.

6th of July 1553 - Edward VI died. A few months prior to his death he removed Mary I from the line of succession and named the Protestant Lady Jane Grey as his successor. Jane's reign lasted for nine days before she was defeated by Catholic rebels who reinstated Mary I to the thronw. Jane was later executed in tghe Tower of London.

19th of July 1553 - Mary I was recognised as the Queen of England by the Privy Council. This ended the Protestant Reformation and led to England reverting back to Catholicism