The Reformation is the name given to the change of the Church from Catholic to Protestant.

Catholic	Protestant
Ornate, colourful churches.	Simple, plain churches.
The priest and ceremonies are essential to help people go to heaven.	People get to heaven through their faith (belief) in God.
The priest has special powers to forgive sins and to turn the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.	The priest's role is to teach people about the Word of God.
The Pope is head of the Church.	The King or Queen is head of the Church.
The Bible and church services should be in Latin.	The Bible and church services should be in the local language.

The Medieval Church was criticised for being:

Rich - the Church built beautiful buildings and many bishops lived in luxury. This was far away from the life of Christ.
Wicked - some priests were drunk. Others stole things or even committed murder.
Superstitious - many people didn't understand the teachings of the Church. With its Latin text, incense and holy water, the Mass appeared to be magic.

When the Catholic Church wouldn't allow Henry VIII to divorce his wife, he decided to break away from it and set up an English Church instead.

The Pope in Rome no longer had any control over the English church.
Monasteries were closed - they had run hospitals and helped the poor, so this made it harder for people.
Henry VIII became richer.
There were wars of religion with Catholic countries - e.g. The Spanish Armada in 1588.
Churches became much plainer and less colourful.
Services and the Bible were in English not Latin.

Year 7 Daily Life and Beliefs

The Reformation