This podcast explores the rich history of the English Non-Conformist and Separatist movements, examining their ties to the broader development of the Christian faith.

At its heart, it tells the story of how Protestantism evolved and made a significant global impact.

The podcast, illustrates how this emerging movement, reshaped fundamental Christian beliefs, leading to division in Western Christianity between Roman Catholicism and the new Protestant groups.

The narrative unfolds chronologically, starting in early 16th century Germany with the excommunication of Martin

Luther and ending a century later in England.

The first series features twelve episodes, spotlighting influential figures such as Beza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is often hailed as the Father of Congregationalism.

The podcast's goal is not to sway beliefs, but rather to explore key historical events.

A complete transcript will be made available for each episode.

The artwork is Exsurge Domine, 'Arise, O Lord'.

It is the cover page of the Papal Bull promulgated or ‘exposed to public view’, on 15 June 1520 by Pope Leo X. It was issued in response to Martin Luther's teachings, which contradicted the beliefs upheld by the Catholic Church.

The Music accompaniment is Dies Irae, or The Day of Wrath'.

This is a medieval Latin poem, best known for its use in the Roman Rite Requiem, Mass for the Dead, and funeral Mass.

Regular episode • Season 1 • Episode 1  • Protestant Beginnings. 

The Artwork is a Painted portrait of Martin Luther, 1528

Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553). Painting Location: The Coburg Fortress, a medieval fortress, situated above the town of Coburg, in the Upper Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany.

The Music is Kyrie, from the Gregorian Plainsong Mass, Missa Orbis Factor.

This episode examines the origins of a Protestant movement that significantly altered fundamental Christian beliefs.

The term "Protestant" originated from the Protestation at Speyer in 1529, where nobles opposed the decrees from the Diet of Worms that threatened the forfeiture of property for supporters of Lutheranism.

Martin Luther, a German priest, theologian, religious reformer, author, and Augustinian friar, was born on November 10, 1483, in Saxony. He was a key figure in the 16th-century Protestant Reformation and is often regarded as the pivotal leader of the movement whose followers became known as Lutherans.

Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam was one of the leading activists and thinkers of the European Renaissance. A man of remarkable intellect, he played a significant role in defining the humanist movement in Northern Europe.

At this point, it is also important to understand the concept of predestination. The Puritans believed that at the time of the world's creation, God had already predetermined who would be saved or condemned.

Lastly, it is essential to mention William Tyndale, who is widely regarded as the greatest English biblical scholar.

Regular episode  • Season 1  • Episode 1  • Protestant Beginnings. - Shorter listen.

The Artwork is a Painted portrait of Martin Luther, 1528

Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553). Painting Location: The Coburg Fortress, a medieval fortress, situated above the town of Coburg, in the Upper Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany.

Music is not present in the Shorter Listen.

The Music in the Full episode is: Kyrie, from the Gregorian Plainsong Mass, Missa Orbis Factor.

This episode examines the origins of a Protestant movement that significantly altered fundamental Christian beliefs.

The term "Protestant" originated from the Protestation at Speyer in 1529, where nobles opposed the decrees from the Diet of Worms that threatened the forfeiture of property for supporters of Lutheranism.

Martin Luther, a German priest, theologian, religious reformer, author, and Augustinian friar, was born on November 10, 1483, in Saxony. He was a key figure in the 16th-century Protestant Reformation and is often regarded as the pivotal leader of the movement whose followers became known as Lutherans.

Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam was one of the leading activists and thinkers of the European Renaissance. A

man of remarkable intellect, he played a significant role in defining the humanist movement in Northern Europe.

At this point, it is also important to understand the concept of predestination. The Puritans believed that at the time of the

world's creation, God had already predetermined who would be saved or condemned.

Lastly, it is essential to mention William Tyndale, who is widely regarded as the greatest English biblical scholar.

Regular episode  • Season 1 • Episode2  • Three English Bibles. 

Artwork • The cover page of the Coverdale Bible, which was first printed in 1535.

Music • Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God'; composer Martin Luther.

In this episode, we discuss the life and death of Thomas More, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist.

We then focus on Myles Coverdale, an important English Bible translator and reformer.

Working alone, Coverdale carried out his mission independently, successfully creating the first fully printed English Bible, commonly known as The Coverdale Bible.

Our story then leads us to Thomas Cranmer, who was born in Nottinghamshire to a family with connections to the local gentry.

Printed in Antwerp in 1537, the Matthew Bible was an early compilation of English translations of the Bible's books.

The Great Bible of 1539 was the first edition of the Bible in English, authorised by King Henry VIII of England to be read aloud in the church services of England.

Three key English Bibles - the Great Bible published in 1539, the Bishops' Bible in 1568, and the King James Bible in 1611 - were all significantly influenced by Tyndale's biblical translations.

His work profoundly influenced later English translations and played a crucial role in the development and widespread use of the English language.

Regular episode  • Season 1 • Episode 2  • Three English Bibles. - Shorter listen.

The Artwork is: The cover page of the Coverdale Bible, which was first printed in 1535.

Music is not present in the Shorter Listen.

The Music is: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God'; Composer: Martin Luther.

In this episode, we discuss the life and death of Thomas More, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist. We then focus on Myles Coverdale, an important English Bible translator and reformer.

Working alone, Coverdale carried out his mission independently, successfully creating the first fully printed English Bible, commonly known as The Coverdale Bible.

Our story then leads us to Thomas Cranmer, who was born in Nottinghamshire to a family with connections to the local gentry.

Printed in Antwerp in 1537, the Matthew Bible was an early compilation of English translations of the Bible's books.

The Great Bible of 1539 was the first edition of the Bible in English, authorised by King Henry VIII of England to be read aloud in the church services of England.

Three key English Bibles - the Great Bible published in 1539, the Bishops' Bible in 1568, and the King James Bible in 1611 - were all significantly influenced by Tyndale's biblical translations.

His work profoundly influenced later English translations and played a crucial role in the development and widespread use of the English language.

Regular episode   • Season 1  • Episode 3  • The Protestant Boy King.

Artwork • The Family of Henry VIII, c. 1543-1547

Music • John Taverner: Quemadmodum , Psalm 42, c.1540.

In 1547, King Henry VIII's nine-year-old son, Edward VI, became the first English monarch raised as a Protestant.

Notable French Protestant reformer John Calvin was a key figure in the second wave of the Protestant Reformation, publishing his influential work, "Institutes of the Christian Religion".

Meanwhile, Anabaptism emerged from the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, distinguishing itself from the Catholic Church with its unique principle of adult baptism.

John Calvin was born on 10 July 1509 in Picardy, France.

He was a French theologian, a pastor in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation, the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation.

John Calvin’s interpretation of Christianity in his “Institutes of the Christian Religion”, first published in Basel, Switzerland, was a seminal work of Systematic Theology.

Ulrich Zwingli was born on 1 January 1484 in Wildhaus in the Swiss Confederation.

He led the Reformation in Switzerland during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism, believing that the state governed with divine sanction and that the church and state were subject to the sovereign rule of God.

Peter Martyr Vermigli was born on 8 September 1499 in Florence. He was a leading Italian religious reformer whose chief concern was Eucharistic doctrine.

Regular episode   • Season 1 • Episode 3   • The Protestant Boy King. - Shorter listen.

Artwork • The Family of Henry VIII, c. 1543-1547

Music • John Taverner: Quemadmodum , Psalm 42, c.1540.

This Episode

In 1547, King Henry VIII's nine-year-old son, Edward VI, became the first English monarch raised as a Protestant.

Notable French Protestant reformer John Calvin was a key figure in the second wave of the Protestant Reformation, publishing his influential work, "Institutes of the Christian Religion".

Meanwhile, Anabaptism emerged from the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, distinguishing itself from the Catholic Church with its unique principle of adult baptism.

John Calvin was born on 10 July 1509 in Picardy, France.

He was a French theologian, a pastor in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation, the leading French Protestant reformer and the most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation.

John Calvin’s interpretation of Christianity in his “Institutes of the Christian Religion”, first published in Basel, Switzerland, was a seminal work of Systematic Theology.

Ulrich Zwingli was born on 1 January 1484 in Wildhaus in the Swiss Confederation.

He led the Reformation in Switzerland during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism, believing that the state governed with divine sanction and that the church and state were subject to the sovereign rule of God.

Peter Martyr Vermigli was born on 8 September 1499 in Florence. He was a leading Italian religious reformer whose chief concern was Eucharistic doctrine.

Regular episode • 4 • Bloody Mary.

Regular episode  • Season 1 • Episode 4  • Bloody Mary.

Artwork • Portrait of Mary by Antonis Mor. c.1554

Music • The Lord is my light and my salvation (Psalm: 27) Anglican chant.

After Edward's death, Lady Jane was proclaimed Queen on 10 July 1553 and was held safe in the Tower of London chambers awaiting coronation.

After hearing about Edward's death, Mary Tudor, fearing for her safety, escaped to East Anglia where she held ownership of several estates.

Stephen Gardiner, an English Catholic bishop, crowned Mary Tudor as Mary I, Queen of England and Ireland, at Westminster Abbey on 1 October 1553.

Mary was the first Queen to rule England in her own right.

She was known as "Bloody Mary" for her persecution and executions of Protestants.

Most controversially, over her reign she ordered 280 Protestants to be burned at the stake as heretics, in a vain attempt to restore Catholicism in England.

Her reign led to a clandestine Protestant church in London as a reaction to her enforcement of Catholicism as England's official religion.

It was on waste ground beyond that ditch, now the site of Broad Street, that the three Protestant Martyrs of Oxford Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer were burnt at the stake.

The trial of Thomas Cranmer began on 12 September 1555, held under papal jurisdiction, with the final verdict decided upon by Rome.

The first Vestments controversy, or Vestarian Controversy, arose during the English Reformation concerning the wearing of vestments and clerical dress

It was the first significant attack in the Puritans' campaign for reform.