Online history course

The English Reformation – A Religious Revolution : MC08

With historian Toni Mount

5-lesson course 2 hours 23 minutes Audio / Text

About this course

Discover how the English Reformation transformed religion, monarchy and everyday life, from Henry VIII's break with Rome to the English Civil War and beyond.

How did England transform from a Catholic kingdom into a Protestant nation? The English Reformation was far more than Henry VIII's desire to end his marriage — it was a religious revolution that changed the lives of ordinary people and reshaped the country forever.

Join historian Toni Mount as she explores the dramatic events of the English Reformation, from Henry VIII's break with Rome and the dissolution of the monasteries to the religious upheavals under his successors.

Discover how changing beliefs, royal ambitions and struggles for power affected churches, communities and families across England. Uncover the conflicts, controversies and consequences of a revolution whose legacy can still be felt today.

5 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Lesson 1 - The Medieval Church – 'If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It!'

    Explore the medieval Church and its influence over everyday life. Discover the challenges posed by the Lollards and Martin Luther, and examine what the English Reformation actually changed.

  2. 02

    Lesson 2 - Henry VIII – A King's Desires Change Our History

    Discover how Henry VIII's need for a male heir and his quest for an annulment led to the break with Rome and set the English Reformation in motion.

  3. 03

    Lesson 3 - A Cultural Revolution

    Explore the arrival of the Bible in English, the dissolution of the monasteries, the religious changes of Edward VI's reign and the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer.

  4. 04

    Lesson 4 - 'This Monstrous Regimen of Women!'

    Follow the religious changes under Mary I and Elizabeth I, from the Marian restoration of Catholicism and the persecution of Protestants to Elizabeth's Religious Settlement and the consequences of her excommunication.

  5. 05

    Lesson 5 - Consequences of the Reformed Religion

    Examine the social consequences of the Reformation, how Tudor monarchs dealt with poverty, the King James Bible, religious tensions under the Stuarts, the English Civil War, Puritanism and the Restoration.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 143minutes of course material (2 hours 23 minutes)
  • 5lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate

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Enrol in this course

Course price$25 USD

Approximately £18.60 GBP / €22.30 EUR / A$35.60 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Lifetime course access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Toni Mount

Meet your historian

Toni Mount

Toni Mount is a historian, author and experienced history teacher specialising in medieval England, particularly the lives of ordinary people, medieval medicine and the Wars of the Roses.

She earned her research MA from the University of Kent in 2009, studying a medieval medical manuscript held at the Wellcome Library in London. She also holds a First-class Honours degree and a Diploma in European Humanities from the Open University, as well as a Certificate in Education from the University of Greenwich.

Toni has written numerous books on medieval history, including The Medieval Housewife & Other Women of the Middle Ages, Dragon's Blood & Willow Bark: The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine, Everyday Life in Medieval London and Richard III: King of Controversy. She is also the author of the Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery series.

Her research brings the medieval world to life, combining historical scholarship with fascinating details about the people who lived, worked and struggled through the Middle Ages.

View historian profile

Learner perspectives

Course reviews

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Newton

Very good indeed. Thanks a lot !!!

Newton July 21, 2017

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Charlotte

I loved this course, I thought it was throughly enjoyable :) thank you!

Charlotte July 27, 2017

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Wendy

Extremely enjoyable and informative, thank you.

Wendy August 8, 2017

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Enjoyed the course.

How did England transform from a Catholic kingdom into a Protestant nation? The English Reformation was far more than Henry VIII's desire to end his marriage — it was a religious revolution that changed the lives of ordinary people and reshaped the country forever. Join historian Toni Mount as she explores the dramatic events of the English Reformation, from Henry VIII's break with Rome and the dissolution of the monasteries to the religious upheavals under his successors. Discover how changing beliefs, royal ambitions and struggles for power affected churches, communities and families across England. Uncover the conflicts, controversies and consequences of a revolution whose legacy can still be felt today.

Caroline Heath December 30, 2018

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Christine

Yes, I enjoyed the course very much.

Christine February 22, 2023

Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

The course contains 2 hours and 23 minutes of audio lectures. Individual lectures are approximately 15-30 minutes long. You can stream or download them and listen at your own pace, with lifetime access.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. The audio lectures and downloadable transcripts provide everything you need. A further reading list is included if you'd like to explore the subject in greater depth.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.