Glossary
Bohemia
A historical region in Central Europe, now part of the Czech Republic, where the Thirty Years' War began with the Defenestration of Prague.
Example:
The Protestant nobility of Bohemia defied the Catholic Habsburg emperor, sparking the initial phase of the Thirty Years' War.
Calvinism
A major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice of John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and the sovereignty of God.
Example:
While not recognized by the Peace of Augsburg, Calvinism later gained legal recognition in the Holy Roman Empire through the Peace of Westphalia.
Charles V
The Habsburg ruler of the Holy Roman Empire during the early to mid-16th century, who struggled to maintain Catholic unity against the rise of Protestantism.
Example:
Charles V faced immense challenges in his vast empire, from the Ottoman Turks to the Protestant Reformation, which ultimately led to his abdication.
Church of England
The established state church of England, created by King Henry VIII, with the monarch as its Supreme Head, distinct from the Roman Catholic Church.
Example:
The creation of the Church of England marked a significant shift in religious authority, placing the English monarch, rather than the Pope, at its head.
Cuius regio, eius religio
A Latin phrase meaning 'whose realm, his religion,' which was the guiding principle of the Peace of Augsburg, allowing rulers to determine the official religion of their territory.
Example:
Under the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, a Lutheran prince could declare his territory Lutheran, compelling his subjects to convert or emigrate.
Defenestration of Prague
An event in 1618 where Protestant Bohemian nobles threw two Catholic imperial officials from a castle window, triggering the start of the Thirty Years' War.
Example:
The Defenestration of Prague was a symbolic act of defiance that quickly escalated into a full-scale European conflict.
Edict of Nantes
A decree issued by King Henry IV of France in 1598, granting substantial rights to Huguenots in a predominantly Catholic country, effectively ending the French Wars of Religion.
Example:
The Edict of Nantes was a landmark act of religious toleration, allowing Huguenots to worship publicly in specified areas and hold public office.
Elizabeth I
Queen of England who solidified the Church of England as the official state church, pursuing a moderate religious policy known as the Elizabethan Settlement.
Example:
Elizabeth I's long reign brought relative religious stability to England after the turmoil of her predecessors, establishing a broad Anglican consensus.
English Reformation
A series of religious changes in England during the 16th century, initiated by Henry VIII's break with Rome and leading to the establishment of the Church of England.
Example:
The English Reformation was a complex process influenced by both political motivations, like Henry VIII's desire for an annulment, and theological shifts, such as the spread of Protestant ideas.
French Wars of Religion (1562-1598)
A prolonged period of civil conflict and political instability in France between Catholics and Huguenots, often intertwined with aristocratic power struggles.
Example:
The French Wars of Religion were marked by extreme violence, including the infamous St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, and severely destabilized the French monarchy.
German Peasants' War (1524–25)
A widespread revolt by German peasants, inspired by interpretations of Martin Luther's ideas, seeking social equality and religious freedom.
Example:
The German Peasants' War demonstrated how religious reform movements could ignite broader social and economic grievances among the common people.
Huguenots
French Calvinists, who faced significant persecution and were a major party in the French Wars of Religion.
Example:
Despite being a minority, the Huguenots were a powerful and influential group in France, particularly among the nobility, leading to intense conflict with the Catholic majority.
King Henry IV (Henry of Navarre)
Originally a Huguenot, he became King of France and converted to Catholicism to bring peace, famously stating 'Paris is worth a mass.'
Example:
King Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes, granting religious freedom to Huguenots, which helped to end decades of religious warfare in France.
King Henry VIII
The King of England who initiated the English Reformation by breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church to annul his marriage and establish the Church of England.
Example:
King Henry VIII's desire for a male heir and his subsequent divorce from Catherine of Aragon led to a profound religious and political transformation in England.
Mary I (Bloody Mary)
Queen of England who attempted to reverse the English Reformation and restore Catholicism, leading to the persecution of Protestants.
Example:
Mary I's fervent efforts to re-establish papal authority earned her the nickname 'Bloody Mary' due to the numerous Protestant executions during her reign.
Peace of Augsburg (1555)
A treaty that officially ended the religious struggle between Lutherans and Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire, allowing princes to choose the religion of their territory.
Example:
The Peace of Augsburg established the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, meaning a ruler's religion determined the religion of their realm, but notably excluded Calvinism.
Peace of Westphalia (1648)
A series of peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War, significantly altering the political and religious map of Europe.
Example:
The Peace of Westphalia recognized the independence of the Dutch Republic and Switzerland, granted Calvinism legal recognition, and further weakened the Holy Roman Empire, ushering in the modern state system.
Religious Pluralism
The acceptance of multiple religious groups coexisting within a society or state, often as a result of religious conflicts and subsequent treaties.
Example:
The Peace of Westphalia, by recognizing Calvinism alongside Lutheranism and Catholicism, contributed significantly to the rise of religious pluralism in Europe.
Schmalkaldic League
A defensive alliance formed by Lutheran princes and cities within the Holy Roman Empire to protect their religious and territorial interests against the Catholic Emperor Charles V.
Example:
The Schmalkaldic League represented a significant challenge to imperial authority, demonstrating the growing power of Protestant states.
Schmalkaldic Wars (1546-47)
A series of conflicts between the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the Schmalkaldic League, an alliance of Lutheran princes, over the spread of Protestantism in the Holy Roman Empire.
Example:
The Schmalkaldic Wars highlighted the deep political and religious divisions within the Holy Roman Empire, leading to a temporary resolution.
Spanish Inquisition
A judicial institution established in Spain in the late 15th century, primarily to maintain Catholic orthodoxy and eliminate perceived heresy, particularly targeting conversos (converted Jews) and moriscos (converted Muslims).
Example:
The Spanish Inquisition was a powerful tool used by the Spanish monarchs to enforce religious uniformity and consolidate their power, often through brutal methods.
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572)
A targeted group of assassinations and a wave of Catholic mob violence, directed against the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion.
Example:
The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a horrific event that dramatically escalated the French Wars of Religion and shocked Protestant Europe.
Supreme Head of the Church of England
The title adopted by King Henry VIII and subsequent English monarchs, signifying their ultimate authority over the Church of England.
Example:
By declaring himself Supreme Head of the Church of England, Henry VIII centralized religious and political power in the monarchy.
Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)
A devastating European conflict that began as a religious struggle within the Holy Roman Empire but evolved into a broader political power struggle involving most major European powers.
Example:
The Thirty Years' War is considered one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, leading to widespread famine, disease, and depopulation, especially in the German states.
War of the Three Henrys
The final and most destructive phase of the French Wars of Religion, fought between King Henry III, Henry of Navarre (a Huguenot), and Henry of Guise (a Catholic League leader).
Example:
The War of the Three Henrys ultimately led to Henry of Navarre's ascension to the throne as Henry IV, but only after his conversion to Catholicism.