Reformation

Great religious movement of the 16th century aiming to reform the doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome (i.e. the Catholic Church). But, in the end, the great reformers (e.g., Martin Luther, John Knox, Jean Calvin) did more than just reform. They established new (and often revolutionary) Protestant creeds all over Europe.

The principal points contended for by the reformers were the general use and authority of the Scriptures (i.e. the word of God can be found in the Bible, not in the decrees of the Pope) and the need of justification by faith; they repudiated the doctrine of transubstantiation (i.e., that Christ is really, really present in the host), the worship of the Virgin Mary, and the supremacy of the pope. Other elements are the introduction of church service in the vernacular (i.e. English in England, German in Germany), translations of the Bible. Suspicion towards the celibacy of priests, nuns and monks.

Source

Oxford Companion to English Literature