Historical Context
The English Reformation had put a stop to Roman Catholic ecclesiastical governance in England, asserted royal supremacy over the Church, and dissolved of some Church institutions such as monasteries and chantries. During the Reformation in England, many people were caught in conflict between Catholic and Protestant ascendancy.
An important year in the English Reformation was 1547, when Protestantism became a new force under the child-king Edward VI, England's first Protestant ruler. Edward died at age 15 in 1553 leaving the throne to Lady Jane Grey, who held it for nine days before Edward's Catholic half-sister Mary deposed her and assumed the crown, as was stipulated by Henry VIII in his Third Succession Act but revoked by Edward VI.
The relationship between the Church of England and Rome was restored under Mary in 1553. She went on to reign for five years (1553–1558) until her death. Protestants opposed Mary's actions. Many people were exiled, and hundreds of dissenters were burned at the stake, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary". The number of people executed for their faith during the persecutions is thought to be at least 287.
Read more about this topic: Marian Persecutions
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