-
1534
Thomas More is arrested
More was King Henry's right-hand man, however he refused to acknowledge him as Head of the Church of England, for this crime he was imprisoned in the tower of London. The King sent many of his men to ask More to sign an oath to the King however More repeatedly refused. -
Jul 6, 1535
Thomas More is Beheaded at Tower Hill
After being found guilty of Treason. -
1541
1541, The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Order is founded by Ignatius Loyola
At first, the Jesuits had no involvement in the situation in England. They played no part during Mary I reign. -
1553
Mary I becomes Queen of England
Mary I, King Henry VIII's daughter, was raised as a Catholic. During her reign, Protestants were mercilessly persecuted and many were burned at the stake or fled the country. -
1558
Mary I dies and Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England
Elizabeth was a protestant, however early in her reign she remained tolerant of Catholics provided they kept their worship private. Despite this, many Catholics, fearing they would soon face similar persecution to those that Protestants faced under Queen Mary, left England for mainland Europe -
1561
English College, a Catholic Seminary, established in Douai, France
As persecution of Catholics in England intensified, seminaries were set up on the continent to train English priests -
1570
Elizabeth I begins open persecution of Catholics
-
1576
William Allen establishes another English College in Rome
Allen persuaded Pope Gregory XIII to allow him to start a new English College -
1579
English Seminary in Rome is put under control of the Jesuits
-
1580
Jesuits Robert Persons, Ralph Emerson and Edmund Campion are sent to England
With the mission of spreading Catholicism in a country where Catholics were viciously persecuted, the three men began clandestine operations to spread the word of God. -
1580
Robert Persons establishes the first secret printing press in England
-
1581
Edmund Campion is captured by authorties.
-
Dec 1, 1581
Edmund Campion is executed
