500 Years ago, Europe went through one of the most remarkable and turbulent periods in its history. The lines of political and theological power were rewritten in ways that were nuanced, subtle and philosophical, but also in ways that resulted in bloody massacre and destruction.

Harry Reid

Cover

Title page

Copyright page

Dedication page

A Tudor and Stewart Genealogy

Quotations

List of Popes

Key Scottish Martyrdoms

Timeline

Note on Contexts and Terms

The Key Players

Introduction

Prelude Two Kings, Two Kingdoms, One Church

1 Henry VII of England

2 James IV of Scotland

3 The State of the Pre-Reformation Church in England and Scotland

Part 1 Luther

4 Luther the Man

5 Early Reform in England

6 Luther’s Impact on Scotland

Part 2 The English Reformation to 1553

7 A Lawyer of Genius

8 Revolt and Treachery

9 End of the Tyrant

10 Rebellion and Suppression

Part 3 The Splitting of the Continental Reformation

11 Zwingli and Zurich

12 Calvin the Man

13 Calvin and Geneva

Part 4 Scotland Pre-Reformation

14 James V of Scotland

15 Rough Wooing

16 Mary of Guise

17 Knox the Man

Context: Europe in the Mid-Sixteenth Century

Part 5 Bloody England

18 Jane and Mary

19 Martyrs

Part 6 The Scottish Reformation

20 The Biggest Decision in Scottish History

21 Opportunity Knox

22 The New Church

23 Mary Queen of Scots

Part 7 The Fightback

24 The Counter-Reformation

25 Dutch and French Wars

Part 8 Progress?

26 The Kirk Reformed

Context: Europe in 1600

27 A Wise Queen, a Foolish King

Part 9 Controversies

28 A Failed Reformation?

29 Three Contentious Matters

Envoi Calvin’s Problematic Legacy

Bibliographical Essay and Book List

Acknowledgements

Text Acknowledgements

Index

500 Years ago, Europe went through one of the most remarkable and turbulent periods in its history. The lines of political and theological power were rewritten in ways that were nuanced, subtle and philosophical, but also in ways that resulted in bloody massacre and destruction. Absorbing and insightful, this book offers a deep and engaging analysis of events that still echo loudly today. Here are just some of the comments from the reviews of the hardback: 'A superb book' Dr Will Storrar, Director, Centre for Theological Inquiry, PrincetonUniversity. 'A compelling and sometimes disturbing pageturner which gives colourful life to this dangerous and bloody battle for religious democracy and freedom across Europe.' Life and Work Magazine 'Every so often an author finds a subject which fully suits their intellectual capacities, and the result is a stimulating and timeless book. Reid and the Reformation form that perfect match: there can be no higher praise.' Trevor Royle in The Herald 'Harry Reid's Reformation is a timely reassessment of the crucial series of events that created modern Scotland...most remarkably, Reid tells the story in a way that includes all traditions and lays aside any suggestion of sectarianism. ' Mike Russell MSP, Scottish Education Minister, in The Scotsman Books of the Year 'Highly contentious and contagiously readable' Alan Taylor in The Sunday Herald 'Its brilliance exists in Reid's prose style, and his desire, even need, to be argumentative. He is a world class arguer...He has produced a challenging, fluent, fallible and ultimately captivating history..' The Scottish Review of Books 'Spirited, opinionated and fluently written' Jonathan Wright in the Catholic Herald 'A splendidly-written, extremely-readable book' The Press and Journal 'A well-crafted, pleasant and readable history of the whole Reformation' Christianity Magazine 'An enthralling look at a period of history that shaped a nation...Harry Reid's ambitious evaluation of the Protestant Reformation is an illuminating and entertaining read' The Scottish Catholic Observer 'The great characters and events of one of the most influential movements in history have found in Reid a chronicler and debater worthy of their stature.' Rosemary Goring editor of Scotland: The Autobiography 'Reid breathes life into the extraordinary personalities and writes with fluency and pace, articulating trenchant, provocative and often controversial judgments on virtually every page of this very readable book.' TM Devine, Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography, University of Edinburgh. 'Harry Reid is a gifted journalist, and this book was just waiting to be written by him. We need a new and accessible look at the Reformation in all its revolutionary complexity, and this is it. It's a smashing read.' Richard Holloway 'Each reader of this fine book will draw their own conclusions...I do commend it to a wide audience.' Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

Reid breathes life into the extraordinary personalities and writes with fluency and pace, articulating trenchant, provocative and often controversial judgments on virtually every page of this very readable book. Professor Tom Devine. Its a smashing read. Richard Holloway

Harry Reid is a former editor of The Herald and bestselling author of books on both The Church of Scotland and Scottish football. He holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow for his services to journalism and is a life vice-president of the journalists' charity, the Newspaper Press Fund.

500 Years ago, Europe went through one of the most remarkable and turbulent periods in its history. The lines of political and theological power were rewritten in ways that were nuanced, subtle and philosophical, but also in ways that resulted in bloody massacre and destruction. Absorbing and insightful, this book offers a deep and engaging analysis of events that still echo loudly today. Here are just some of the comments from the reviews of the hardback: 'A superb book' Dr Will Storrar, Director, Centre for Theological Inquiry, PrincetonUniversity. 'A compelling and sometimes disturbing pageturner which gives colourful life to this dangerous and bloody battle for religious democracy and freedom across Europe.' Life and Work Magazine 'Every so often an author finds a subject which fully suits their intellectual capacities, and the result is a stimulating and timeless book. Reid and the Reformation form that perfect match: there can be no higher praise.' Trevor Royle in The Herald 'Harry Reid's Reformation is a timely reassessment of the crucial series of events that created modern Scotland…most remarkably, Reid tells the story in a way that includes all traditions and lays aside any suggestion of sectarianism.' Mike Russell MSP, Scottish Education Minister, in The Scotsman Books of the Year 'Highly contentious and contagiously readable' Alan Taylor in The Sunday Herald 'Its brilliance exists in Reid's prose style, and his desire, even need, to be argumentative. He is a world class arguer….. He has produced a challenging, fluent, fallible and ultimately captivating history..' The Scottish Review of Books 'Spirited, opinionated and fluently written' Jonathan Wright in the Catholic Herald 'A splendidly-written, extremely-readable book' The Press and Journal 'A well-crafted, pleasant and readable history of the whole Reformation' Christianity Magazine 'An enthralling look at a period of history that shaped a nation… Harry Reid's ambitious evaluation of the Protestant Reformation is an illuminating and entertaining read' The Scottish Catholic Observer 'The great characters and events of one of the most influential movements in history have found in Reid a chronicler and debater worthy of their stature.' Rosemary Goring editor of Scotland: The Autobiography 'Reid breathes life into the extraordinary personalities and writes with fluency and pace, articulating trenchant, provocative and often controversial judgments on virtually every page of this very readable book.' TM Devine, Sir William Fraser Professor of Scottish History and Palaeography, University of Edinburgh. 'Harry Reid is a gifted journalist, and this book was just waiting to be written by him. We need a new and accessible look at the Reformation in all its revolutionary complexity, and this is it. It's a smashing read.' Richard Holloway 'Each reader of this fine book will draw their own conclusions… I do commend it to a wide audience.' Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

The Good Book Stall

This book is a survey of the European Reformation of the 16th Century. It concentrates on events in England, Scotland, Germany and Switzerland.   
Although the author’s sympathies lie with the Protestant cause, he is even-handed in his approach, giving praise where praise is due and condemnation where it is warranted. Mr. Reid treats the main players as real people showing all sides of their character. The author is a journalist and this shows in the content and style of the book. He describes in graphic detail some of the atrocities committed. He colours the text with bold descriptions. Occasionally he is too certain in his conclusions (for instance that James IV was a homosexual), and, for this reviewer, too sympathetic to some Catholic practices.   
Not surprisingly (as the author is Scottish) the book has a large section on the Scottish Reformation. Here he writes in an unbiased way highlighting the positive effect on Scotland and praising the part played by John Knox and Queen Elizabeth I.   
Unusually for books on this subject, there is a place for the Anabaptists and a chapter on the Counter Reformation. There is also a fascinating section comparing Luther with Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. He writes “Luther decided that faith (in Christ) was the key; for Loyola the key was obedience (to the church)”.  
Overall this is a lucid overview of the events that shaped modern Europe. It will give you much food for thought.

Reformation

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Reformation

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500 Years ago, Europe went through one of the most remarkable and turbulent periods in its history. The lines of political and theological power were rewritten in ways that were nuanced, subtle and philosophical, but also in ways that resulted in bloody massacre and destruction.

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