How did the Reformation in England differ from that of continental Europe?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Many perceived the choice of Protestantism in England under Henry VIII to be a predominantly political decision of convenience rather than a true desire to reform the church. Henry VIII wanted a divorce from his wife, the Catholic daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, in order to marry again and father a legitimate son and heir to the throne. However, Catholicism prohibited divorce. Henry looked for ways to put his wife aside that were within church guidelines, but finally opted for Protestantism as a last resort. However, his choice of Protestantism served more than his desire to remarry and had several political overtones as well. In place of the Catholic Church, he formed the Church of England, with the king as the head of the church, although the administrator of the church was to remain the archbishop of Canterbury. From 1536 to 1539, he initiated several other reforms that enhanced his own authority as both spiritual and temporal ruler of England, including the declaration that all property of the Catholic Church was the king's to do with as he pleased, and that he alone had sovereignty over the country. He achieved all of this with the consent of Parliament, but reformers in England who were eager to see spiritual reforms were quite disappointed when the Church of England failed to provide any significant differences in religious rites or doctrines, other than allowing divorce. More radical Protestant groups emerged in England, but they were met with political opposition because the king was now the head of the Church of England and challenging his authority was considered treason.