General Reference The net result of the war was to bring peace between the various interests, but at the cost of frightful suffering and enormous loss of life. Sheer exhaustion led finally to peace. The treaty which was arranged after prolonged negotiation brought to an end the long wars of religion in central Europe, and virtually marks the end of the period of the Reformation.
Almost at once the Jesuits leaped to a position of leadership in the councils of the Church. As missionaries and as heresy hunters they were absolutely devoted to their purpose. They did much to save southern Europe for the Catholic Church. Yet the Jesuits were also charged with encouraging superstition and the order became so distrusted and disliked that it was suppressed in one country after another until Pope Clement XIV abolished the order in 1773 – a decision later reversed by Pope Pius VII.
The short and unhappy reign of “Bloody Mary” resulted in the execution of about three hundred persons. She was disappointed in her marriage to Philip II of Spain and was disappointed in her hope of an heir. Her death after five years on the throne was celebrated in England and the people gladly welcomed her half-sister, Elizabeth.
The death of Henry in 1547 made it possible for Cranmer and King Edward VI to carry the ecclesiastical changes further. Cranmer directed the clergy to read the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer weekly in the churches, together with a chapter from the Old Testament and another from the New. A new edition of the Bible, known as the Great Bible, was placed in every church, and the priests were supplied with homilies for popular instruction. The organization of the church was left virtually unchanged, however. The two archbishops of Canterbury and York remained under the pope, and the Episcopal arrangement of bishops was not abolished. The king continued to be the head of the Church and made the appointments of bishops and archbishops.
The cumulative effect of these various influences prepared the public mind for Henry’s act of rebellion. Parliament was submissive enough to the king’s will to ratify his action and vote him the title of Supreme Head of the Church of England. It transferred to him the power of appointment of the higher clergy. Appeals to Rome were abolished and the dispensing power was given to the Archbishop of Canterbury. By these specific acts, the separation from Rome was made complete by 1535.