The Impact of

The Sacking of Rome

on

The English Reformation

By The Rev. Canon Martin Eppard

Pope Clement VII          King Henry VIII             Emperor Charles V

A Lesson Plan for 11th Grade Church History Class, Religion Department, Mt. de Sales Academy for Girls; designed for one 90 minute period divided into two 45 minute segments

Objectives

The students will
1.  Understand the Sacking of Rome as a major event marking the culmination of the Renaissance Papacy (preceding lessons).
2.  Understand the divorce of Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon (and subsequent marriage to Anne Boleyn) as the beginning of the English Reformation (succeeding lessons).
3.  Comprehend the connection between these two events and analyze causal effects.
4.  Relate the human element and discuss the familiar relationships, dynastic implications and religious consequences.

Vocabulary

Annulment:  An ecclesiastical function declaring, for cause, that the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony never existed thereby dissolving a marriage.  It differs from a divorce which is a legal action dissolving or revoking a marital contract in law by the temporal authorities.

Indult/Dispensation:  A special grant of ecclesiastical permission given by the Pope or other ecclesial authority.   It may suspend certain rules or requirements normal to the practice of religion and may be permanent or temporary.

Catholic:  A term often confused with ‘Roman Catholic’ in common usage, and ‘Universal’ in Protestant usage.  The most often quoted definition of the word ‘catholic’ is from St. Vincent of Lerins (5th cent.) “that which has been believed everywhere, always, by everyone”.  Catholic refers to a Christian expression of Universality (everywhere) Antiquity (always) Apostolicity (by everyone).  Upon this basis non-Roman Christians claim catholicity and the term may be applied more broadly then to simply refer to the Roman Catholic Church (e.g. Anglo-Catholicism, Eastern Rite Catholics, Independent Catholics, Old Catholic/Utrecht Union, Polish National Catholic Church, Catholic Apostolic Churches, Eastern Orthodox Churches, ad. inf.).

Mercenary:  A military professional, warrior or officer for higher.  Mercenaries fight in any variety of settings, usually without concern for the underlying causes of the conflict.  They fight for the highest bidder and traditionally hold little or no allegiance to the cause for which they fight.

Notes to Teachers

Notes for teachers provides information about the sacking of Rome and the genesis of the Reformation in England.  It also demonstrates the family relations and political intrigues between the two events.  For an historical overview of the period and events related to this lesson click HERE.

Procedures
(The Lesson)

The Procedures section provides a complete outline of this lesson plan divided into two 45 minute periods.  To access this out line click HERE.

Assessment & Student Activities

For a list of suggested class discussion topics and role playing scenarios click HERE.

Closure

This lesson is designed to begin the English Reformation and set the stage for the volatile years that followed Henry's death.  The pendulum of religious expression would swing wildly in the succeeding monarchies (Edward, “Jane”, Mary and Elizabeth).  Ultimately what would emerge would be a new expression of Christianity, a middle way between Protestantism & Catholicism called Anglicanism.  This lesson ends where the English Reformation begins.  It is designed to bridge the period of the Renaissance Papacy and the English Reformation.  Suggested videos, A Man For All Seasons: Anne of a Thousand Days


Notes to Teachers    Procedures   Bibliography    Assessment