why was there religious turmoil in tudor britain?

Answer 1

In addition to Henry VIII's conflict and break with the church, his 3 children all had different religious beliefs, and religion was entwined with politics. Edward retained his father's new Church of England for his brief reign. When he died, his sister Mary, a devout Catholic, returned the country to Catholicism and persecuted Protestants. Elizabeth was Protestant as well, and was more tolerant of Catholics at first, but there were a number of plots against her lead by Catholics, and she persecuted them more and more throughout her reign. (For example, Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed because she endorsed plots to overthrow Elizabeth and install herself as a Catholic Queen.)

Answer 2

There had been religious dissent long before Henry VIII. People like Wycliffe had tried to get the Bible translated into English so the common people could read it. Then Henry VIII decided he wanted to divorce his first wife, but the Pope was having nothing of it. So he made himself head of the church and 'Defender of the Faith'. During Elizabeth's time the Church of England as we know it came into being. During this time to be Roman Catholic was seen as akin to being a traitor because the Pope wanted Elizabeth thrown off her throne, and the Spanish tried to carry this out. But remember also, that at the same time there was religious turmoil in Europe.

Answer 3

The Church of England (founded by Henry VIII) and the Roman Catholic Church. Henry made the Church of England the official religion of England.