English Reformation

 

Peter Marshall’s generously written people’s history and a reinterpretation of the story of the English Reformation, as his narrative avoids irregularities in the story and explains why Reformation was neither “just about religion” nor “ really about politics.”

Protestantisation was adopted by English Monarchs as an established faith make enemies at home and abroad, and by encouraging reading and contemplation of scripture, the crown engendered discussion and dissent leading to pluralism.

Catholicism’s monopoly of faith was replaced by a Protestant free market.

Marshall’s narrative covers from 1480 to 1590, including Henry VIII’s marital problems, the dissolution of the monasteries. The crisis of the 1640s and the glorious revolution of 1688-89. and as his story ends a broad-based Protestantism was established as the majority faith of the nation. By 1700 opinions became choices, and people schooled by generations of debates were given the option to choose including the option of becoming an atheist an ironic consequence of a campaign to perfect the praising of God.

Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation By Peter Marshall Yale £30/$40, 672 Pages