Characters of The Reformation

Hilaire Belloc' CHARACTERS OF THE REFORMATION is an informative book that explains the religious upheaval through the individuals who either supported it or tried to stop it. Belloc is very clear that most of those who supported the Reformation were motivated more by greed and desire for political power rather than any religious conviction. Belloc begins this study with a background of the Reformation, and explains how the Reformers and those opposed to the Reformation responded to the disunity of the Catholic Church. The historical background is important in that each of those who supported the different "reform" movements conform to the general direction of the Reformation. This early section of the book is important to comprehending the remainder of the book. Belloc's sections regarding Henry VIII (1509-1547) is instructive. Henry VIII was an intelligent, vibrant man when he first took power in 1509. Yet, due to Henry VIII's lust, he ruined both the Catholic Church in England and his own life because of sexually transmitted diseases. Many uninformed Protestants argue that Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church was due to his attempt at annulment from his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Belloc destroys this myth. Henry VIII's desire for Anne Bolyn was the reason for his break with the Catholic Church. Readers should also note that Henry VIII considered himself a good Catholic, and he merely replaced the Pope with himself. Henry VIII kept the Sacraments and Liturgy of the Catholic Church. What Henry VIII had to do to keep support of his nobility and members of Parliament was to either sanction or at least turn a blind eye to these people literally looting the Catholic Church's wealth and property including universities, orphanges, farm land, monastaries, etc. This is just one example of how greed was the basis of the English Reformation. Henry VIII's mental instability is reflected in his incrasing cruelty which he thought was power. Belloc's portrayal of Thomas Cromwell (1485-1540)is one of the best this reviewer has ever read. Cromwell became extremely wealthy and increasingly greedy as he helped Henry VIII and the English nobility loot the Catholic Church's wealth. Belloc states that Cromwell had not religious convictions and was in the English Reformation "for the money" and the political power he gained. This may have been Cromwell's undoing. Cromwell antagonized members of Parliament and especially the English nobility who had the ear of Henry VIII. In other words Cromwell made too many enemies which resulted in the parliamentarians passing a bill of attainder requiring the death penalty. Belloc presents Thomas More (1478-1535)as a man of honor, courage, and decency. Thomas More was appointed Lord High Chancellor, but More has scruples and religious convictions that could not be shaken. St. Thomas More conceded position, wealth, power, and eventually his life to keep the Faith. More was an intelligent man whose i

This is a beautifully written and fascinating account of the twenty-three main protagonists of Reformation Europe, from Henry VIII to Louis XIV. Belloc includes incredible detail around the lives and times of such as William Cecil and his dwarfish son, Robert, the true rulers of Elizabethan England. This book further expands on Belloc's theory, first put forth in "How the Reformation Happened", that the Reformation was really a rising of the rich against the poor. Belloc provides startling revelations relative to the looting of Church properties in Reformation England that led its looters to becoming the new landed gentry, who then ran the Parliament and ultimately usurped the throne of England with the elevation of William III, of Orange. This work is outstanding and essential. I recommend reading Belloc's "How the Reformation Happened" first and then reading this great book. To read Belloc is to have the feeling of listening to a remarkably wise and talented story teller, who has the patience and grace to speak to you from his heart relative to matters about which you should care deeply. Before reading Belloc, I do not think I truly understood European history. Thanks to his wonderful work, I feel as if I am beginning to discern the great truths of this all important saga of human history.

This is the first book I've read by Belloc and I'm forever indebted to Belloc for the truth contained in his writings and his writing styles. I enjoyed the book so much that I immediately went online and ordered seven more books of his! First, regarding his writing style: Belloc doesn't use boring footnotes or cite historical sources. This is actually appreciated, rather than criticized, for, the footnotes and sources are often ignored by the reader anyway and get in the way of the writing's flow. Also, Belloc writes remarkably like a modern-day writer in, say, a magazine article. He is speaking to the layperson in an easy to read style that is almost like a conversation. You will breeze through page after page. Second, regarding the substance of Belloc's writing: this is an INDISPENSABLE work. Belloc starts out by stating that the English Reformation cannot be overemphasized because if England had not become Protestant, all of Europe would be Catholic today. This is most certainly true and Belloc easily lays out why. A chapter is dedicated to each person who played a major role in the Reformation, or attempted to combat it: characters like Henry VIII, Thomas More, Mary Tudor, Elizabeth, Mary Stuart, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Cromwell, Steven Gardiner, etc. (23 individuals total). The chapters are small (a few pages each) and thus easily retain the reader's interest while still providing enough information for the reader to have an accurate picture of each individual. Lastly, Belloc is writing from a Catholic viewpoint and, as such, the portrayals of the characters are devoid of the usual "the Protestant Reformation was a great and noble undertaking" bias and baloney. Some may say that, conversely, Belloc writes with a Catholic bias but, even if that is the case, such a work is necessary to counter the Protestant bias in nearly all works on the Reformation, written by Protestants. If you're ready for the truth (that the Reformation was successful due to greedy, powerful Englishmen who had a perverse incentive to see it succeed -- to hold on to the enormous wealth they had acquired through confiscation of church property when the break with Rome occurred), get this book!! Get all of Belloc's books!!

Through the lives of 23 people of the era Hilaire Belloc explains very well how each one played a role in causing the Reformation. This book isn't about the Reformers themselves but the politics behind it, and is mostly about the English Reformation, for he believed, had English not left the Church, Protestantism would have died.The largest flaw is a lack of cited sources.

Characters of the Reformation is a great insight into the motives of the folks who brought us the reformation. If you like Plutarch's Lives of famous Roman and Greeks, you'll like this book's style. Belloc examines each person's virtues and foibles, showing how they led to the split of Western Christendom. Luther, Calvin, various popes, and political figures are there. Belloc also includes overlooked characters, especially women like Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. Belloc, who was a close friend of G.K. Chesterton, puts a Roman Catholic spin on the Reformation which is too often considered only from a Protestant perspective. Whatever your perspective, if you like knowing what makes people "tick," you'll get a kick out of this book.