Which Monarch made the most significant changes to religion?
...d Mary passed a law which stated that the heir to the throne had to be a person with Protestant beliefs. They forced their Protestant beliefs on their subjects by not allowing Catholics to go to good universities or to have a good occupation throughout their life. (Despite this some people still remained Catholic in the country). William and Mary’s changes ensured that the country would remain Protestant after they died. Many people argue that King Henry VIII (1491-1547), made the most significant changes to religion and the church. In 1534, Henry decided to make himself Supreme Head of the Church of England. Now he, instead of the Pope, was the representative of God on earth, and he had his only son, Edward VI, educated by Protestants and not Catholics. This was known as the English Reformation. However, many historians belief that Henry carried out the English Reformation because he wanted a divorce, which was not heard of in Catholic religious practices. By making himself the head of the church he controlled the religion and could do what he wished. Between 1536 and 1540 Henry did something called the ‘dissolution of the monasteries’ in which he closed them or even destroyed them, claiming the land and riches for himself, instead of carrying it out just for his religious beliefs. These may be big changes, but they are not the most significant for it is thought King Henry VIII did not actually believe in the religion he ordered the people of England to practice. Many people would also argue Queen Mary I, Henry’s and Catherine’s daughter (1516 – 1558) made the most significant changes to religion. She began her reign by sweeping away the religious innovations of her father and her brother and re-established the ...