The Protestant Reformation was a reaction to events that plagued the Catholic Church during
the Medieval period of European History. 1) What were some of these events and how did the
Catholic Church respond (or not respond) to them? 2) How did the Protestant Reformation
begin? 3) Who is credited with starting the Protestant Reformation and what was his issue with
the Catholic Church? 4) How did the Protestant Reformation spread? 5) Who else contributed
to this world-changing event known as the Reformation?
Prior to the protestant reformation, there were numerous events that occurred. To begin, there was a
variety of leadership issues that took place. For example, there was a disagreement between Pope
Boniface VIII and King Philip IV over taxing the church. Also, the Great Schism divided the people of
Europe and caused a huge PR problem. Then, the Council of Pisa left the Catholics with three popes.
Eventually, two popes were removed, and one pope was elected to serve in Rome. The protestant
reformation began after a few people, including Martin Luther, questioned the Catholic Church and their
ability to define Christian practices. Martin Luther also wrote his Ninety-Five Theses to clarify the selling
of indulgences. Eventually the Edict of Worms declared Martin Luther an outlaw of the Holy Roman
Empire. However, Desiderius Erasmus if credited with jump-starting the reformation. Desiderius
Erasmus’ Handbook of the Christian Knight introduced the idea that one should lead like Jesus Christ did.
The protestant reformation spread because many religious people wanted freedom from the controlling
religious leaders. The counter-reformation and English reformation also spread the word and had some
attempting to stop the protestant reformation or interested in the breakage of Henry VIII and the
catholic church and his divorce. In addition to people like Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus, Pope
Leo X, John Calvin, Menno Simmons, Henry VIII and his wives, etc. contributed to the reformations.