The Protestant Revolution in England
Mr. Michael Davies speaks about the history of the Protestant Revolution in England, in this lecture series delivered to the 1997 Von Hildebrand Institute Roman Forum.
1. The Beginning of the Revolution
Mr. Michael Davies begins with a treatment of the solid but parochially-minded Church in England before the Reformation. He then shows how Henry VIII, on personal and political grounds, aided by a small group of heretics and many not terribly spiritually-minded administrative collaborators, brought about a revolution in religion that Englishmen on their own would never have encouraged. All history buffs, and lovers of the Traditional Mass, will find this talk fascinating. Davies, a history teacher and Scotsman, gives many insights into the truth of what really happened. The parallels to our era are stupefying.
2. St John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr
Saint John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and the heroic defender of the Papacy under King Henry VIII, was the only bishop who remained united to Rome after the Anglican schism. He was slaughtered by Henry VIII for his fidelity and remains a witness to Romanism for England. He was the greatest and most saintly representative of the Church in England at that time. Mr. Michael Davies shows that Fisher, a great theologian, prelate, and courtier understood that Henry's reforms were no ordinary political battle with Rome. Hence, he fought them and knew that he must die for the Faith.
3.The Western Rising of 1549
Mr. Michael Davies gives a history of the Reformation in England under Queen Elizabeth and shows that the average Englishmen, while not an Ultramontanist, was a Catholic, and was especially upset when he sensed real or possible attacks on the Mass. The spirit of the England that had been shaped by the Benedictine and Irish monks was revealed in the uprising that was duped and suppressed by that real traitor to the English tradition: the Tudor Monarchy under Henry, Edward, and Elizabeth. Although the English schism was under Henry VIII, Catholic doctrine and practice did not decay until under Edward. Finally, all hope of return to the True Religion was lost under Elizabeth.
4. How England Lost the Faith Under Elizabeth I
The Tudor Queen Mary restored Catholicism after the Calvinizing period under Edward. She did not live long enough to complete her work. No one really knew what her half-sister Elizabeth believed when she became monarch. It was she, however, Mr. Michael Davies explains, who was really to turn England Protestant. She did so through that strange "via media" of the Anglican Church, which sought to avoid the "extremes" of Catholicism and Calvinism, only to fall under political and secular guidance.
5. The Eulogy of St. John Fisher for the Grandmother of Henry VIII
Dr. David Allen White reads the moving eulogy delivered by St. John Fisher for the pious grandmother of Henry VIII. Here one gets a good sense of the learning and rhetorical genius of Fisher and the deep piety of late medieval Catholic England.
Taken from: Protestant Rebellion and Catholic Reform (1517-1648) - 1997 VonHildebrand Institute