At the beginning of the 16th century, the Roman Catholic Church controlled a great deal of religious, political and social power in Europe. During this time, there were several individuals within the Church who wished to return to a more pure and simple Christian lifestyle but would have to work against the Church to do so. England was somewhat distant and isolated from the rest of Europe and while Protestantism tore apart European society, it took a far different form in England, retaining much of the doctrine and the practices of Catholicism. In addition, while the Reformation taking place in Europe was brought about by religious differences and ideals, its basis in England was one of personal and political change. England also experienced the greatest wavering between the two religions as the monarchs of England passed from one religion to the next.
             King Henry VIII of England, once proclaimed "Defender of the Faith" by the Pope for writing a Defense of the Seven Sacraments in repudiation of the teachings of Martin Luther, instigated the English Reformation. The reason for the change of religion in England was for the simple fact of a lack of a male heir to the throne. Henry felt that an heir was essential, especially when one recalled the anarchy from which the Tudor dynasty had extricated England. Because his existing wife, Catherine of Aragon had only given him a daughter, Mary, Henry asked the pope to annul his marriage to her so that he may marry someone else and have a son. The pope, however, would not annul the marriage due, in part, to the fact that Catherine was the aunt of Emperor Charles V, whom the pope was in no position to offend. Henry had no patience for the pope to balk at such a request when demands for other annuls had been made in the past. Starting in 1532 he drove matters forward, putting in a new archbishop of Canterbury, broke off connections with the Roman , named himself "Protector and Only Supre...