A Column of Fire

The 16th and 17th centuries were a period of significant cultural, intellectual, and religious change in Europe. The emergence of Protestantism, sparked by Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517, led to a schism within the Christian Church. In England, Henry VIII's desire for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, which the Catholic Church denied, prompted the establishment of the Church of England in 1534. This move severed ties with the Pope and aligned England with Protestant principles, though the church retained some Catholic traditions. The religious pendulum swung during the reign of Mary I, Henry VIII’s daughter with Catherine, as she sought to restore Catholicism. This period, sometimes known as the Marian Persecutions, was marked by the persecution of English Protestants. However, Elizabeth I's ascent to the throne in 1558 signaled a return to Protestantism. The Elizabethan Religious Settlement of 1559 attempted to strike a delicate balance, allowing for moderate Protestantism while retaining some Catholic elements. However, this compromise failed to satisfy either side and led to continued tensions and outbreaks of violence. The Spanish Armada's attempted invasion in 1588, fueled by religious zeal, aimed to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and restore Catholicism to England. The defeat of the Armada bolstered Protestant England's confidence and solidified its maritime supremacy.