The Reformation was a period of social and religous uphieval in the 16th Century. It has its foundings in Humanism the works of thinkers like Erasmus. However it was sparked by Martin Luther and his 95 theses.

The reformation continued to take place and change Europe completely. Other reformers, both first and second generation, began to take on the role of devising the theology of the new protestant churches. Some of these are:

• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Calvin

The reformation had its greatest affect in the Holy Roman Empire or what is now Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and Poland. This was Luther's home country and so he was able to exert the greatest influence here. Later Calvinism was the major factor in the Wars of Religion in both France and the Netherlands.

Some key events in the Reformation were:

• Luther's 95 theses
• Diet of Worms, 1521
• Peasants War, 1524-1525
• Diet of Speyer, 1526
• Diet of Speyer, 1529
• Marlburg Colloquy, 1529
• Diet of Augsburg, 1530-1531
• Diet of Regensburg, 1532
• Diet of Regensburg, 1541
• Diet of Augsburg, 1547-1548
• Diet of Augsburg, 1555

The response from the Catholic Church was very slow but they eventually managed to get their Catholic Reformation moving.