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Timeline
| 1517 | (31 Oct.) – Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses in protest at the Catholic doctrine of indulgences. |
| 1519 | Leipzig Debate: Luther debates Johann Eck (1486-1543), arguing that sola scriptura (scripture alone) is the basis for Christian faith and doctrine. |
| 1520 | Luther outlines his theology and other views in three works: To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church and On the Freedom of a Christian. |
| 1521 | Henry VIII of England opposes Luther in writing Assertio septem sacramentorium, or, “Defence of the Seven Sacraments”. Pope Leo X rewards Henry by granting him the title Fidei Defensor or “Defender of the Faith”. |
| 1521 | The Diet of Worms – Luther’s refusal to recant results in his excommunication by Pope Leo X in the bull Decet Romanum Pontificem or “It Pleases the Roman Pontiff”. |
| 1522 | Luther publishes his own translation of the New Testament in German. |
| 1526 | William Tyndale Publishes a translation of the New Testament in English. |
| 1529 | Luther meets the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli at the Marburg Colloquy to discuss the issue of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Both parties are unable to come to an agreement, with Luther defending his view of a Sacramental Union of the body and blood and the bread and wine as opposed to the symbolic view of Zwingli. |
| 1530 | Publication of the Augsburg Confession, a summary of Lutheran doctrine. |
| 1531 | Death of Ulrich Zwingli. |
| 1533 | The marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon is declared null and void by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in defiance of the Catholic church. Henry later marries Anne Boleyn. |
| 1534 | Act of Supremacy: Henry VIII becomes supreme head of the Church in England, which separates from the Roman Catholic Church. |
| 1534 | Ignatius of Loyola founds the Jesuit order as part of the Catholic counter-reformation. Parts of Poland, Hungry and Germany are reconverted from Protestantism to Catholicism. |
| 1535 | Thomas More, former Lord Chancellor is executed on the orders of Henry VIII for refusing to support the English reformation. |
| 1536 | William Tyndale burnt at the stake for heresy. |
| 1536 | Protestant reformer John Calvin publishes his work of systematic theology: Institutes of the Christian Religion. |
| 1536-40 | Henry VIII undertakes the dissolution of the Monasteries in England, Wales and Ireland. |
| 1545-63 | As part of the Catholic reformation, the Council at Trent meets to reform and clarify Catholic doctrine. |
| 1546 | Death of Martin Luther. |
| 1549 | Publication of the first version of the Book of Common Prayer in the Church of England. |
| 1555 | Peace of Augsburg grants toleration to Lutherans within the Holy Roman Empire using the principle of cuius regio, eius religio or “Whose region, his religion”. |
| 1560 | Publication of Geneva Bible, the first English translation with chapter and verse divisions. |
| 1563 | Production of the 39 Articles of the Church of England as a doctrinal statement of faith. |
| 1564 | Death of John Calvin. |
| 1572 | Death of John Knox, leader of the Reformation in Scotland. |
| 1598 | French Protestants (Huguenots) are granted toleration by Henry IV in the Edict of Nantes. |
| 1611 | Publication of the King James Version of the Bible. |
| 1618-9 | The Synod of Dort: Five point Calvinism is affirmed to opposition to Arminianism. |
| 1618-48 | Protestant/Catholic conflict in Germany (The Thirty Years War). |
| 1685 | Revocation of the edict of Nantes by Louis XIV. Exodus of Protestants from France. |