Anglican History Flashcards
When did Christianity come to England?
Most likely in the 2nd-3rd century.
How was Christianity brought to England?
No one knows for sure, but the most likely story is that traders or Roman Soldiers brought the good news.
What was the early English Church like?
It started with Celtic origins and was more conservative and focused on monks and monasteries.
Who was Saint Alban?
He was a former Roman soldier who was converted to Christianity by a priest he was helping to hide in his house. After sharing his faith with other people, Alban became the first British martyr in the 3rd century.
How did the English Church start to turn towards Catholic beliefs?
The pope sent a Benedictine monk there in 597.
What was the Synod of Whitby?
The Synod of Whitby took place in 664 and it was there that the English Church officially said that they would turn to Roman Catholic ways instead of Celtic traditions.
What was the most important part of the Synod of Whitby?
The English monarchs maintained control over everyday actions in the Church, since it could take up to 4 years to communicate between England and Rome.
What happened in the Middle Ages?
The Church started to drift away from the Scripture and holy practices of the past and into unholy practices and beliefs.
What were some of the unholy practices and beliefs of the Middle Ages?
Mandatory celibacy for priests, Purgatory, and praying directly to the Saints instead of to God. The priests also acted very unholy outside of the Church and did not even understand what they were teaching.
Who was John Wycliff?
Wycliff (1320-1384) was a priest and theologian at Oxford University, and he was England’s first true protestant. He was called the “Morning Star” of the Reformation because he sparked people against the unholy practices of the Church with his teachings and actions.
Who was Thomas Cranmer?
Cranmer (1489-1556) was the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury. He worked with King Henry VIII and King Edward VI to develop Anglican theology and to help the Church grow until he was martyred under Queen Mary in 1556.
What were some of the important documents the Thomas Cranmer wrote?
He wrote the litany, the 42 (later revised to 39) Articles of Religion, and the first Book of Common Prayer.
Who was William Tyndale?
Tyndale (1492-1536) was an English reformer known for translating the Bible into English. Translating the Bible was illegal then, but his work, along with Miles Coverdale’s and John Wycliff’s, provided the foundation for the King James Bible in 1611.
Who was Miles Coverdale?
Coverdale (died 1569) was an English reformer who worked to translate the Bible into English. He published his translation in 1535 and dedicated it to King Henry VIII. Ironically, he had to flee England in 1540 because of Henry’s policies. He lived in Strasburg and continued to teach.
Why did King Henry VIII declare the Church of England free of Roman influence?
Henry wanted a divorce from his wife because she was not bearing him a male heir, but he could not without permission from Rome, and they would not give it to him. So, in 1534, the Church was free, and he got his divorce.
