The mid sixteenth century was a time of religious upheaval in England. Henry VIII had broken away from the Catholic Church in Rome, and established the Church of England. The break with Rome, known as the Reformation, changed the country forever, and also left Henry’s children with an England deeply divided over religion.
Under Henry’s son Edward VI, the Protestants became powerful. However, Henry’s daughter Mary was a devout Catholic.
Parliament during this time went along with the changes in religious policy. Stability was restored only when Henry’s daughter, Elizabeth, came to the throne. She was a Protestant, but she allowed the religious conflicts to cool down, and peace was restored.