How did the changes to religion in Tudor times affect people in England?

Answer 1

England was Catholic, but Henry VIII was very much in love with Anne Boleyn and when the pope refuced to let him divorce his wife Cathrine of Aragon he decided to break with the catholic church and esablish a new church of England in which he was the head of the religion.

England became protestant, but when Mary I became queen she reestablished the catholic church. She was very bitter about her father leaving her mother and was called Bloody Mary because so many people were brutally killed for not being catholic.

When Elizabeth I became queen. Engalnd was yet again protestant. This religious Mary go round effected Engalnds future, because if Henry did not brake with the catholic church Engalnd would still be catholic. Also Englands conflict with Ireland woulnd't have been so much about religion as it was.

Answer 2

Quite simply, it gave us a choice! Yes, Henry VIII was a self centred, egotistical, bloody minded and murderous king but his break from the Catholic church which denied him his selfish desires helped to shape the Church of England and subsequent Anglicanism which, despite those original selfish desires has evolved to become a glorious God centred and living spiritual force in today's world. Choice is what 'Old 'Enry' brought us, and equality in our religious beliefs, however hard fought for.