I've been watching some videos and reading (a bit) on the English Reformation where Henry VIII became the head of the Church of England, but almost everything I find tells the story just from the point of view of the English.
How did the Catholic Church and the Pope respond to Henry and the reformation? Did they threaten him with damnation? Excommunication? Crusade/military actions?
And if you have time, what was the general response from the rest of Catholic Europe as well? I know that the Protestant reformation was already coming into play, was this seen as some sort of catastrophic event or destabilizing event?
I'm currently reading *Wolf Hall* which is a novel based on the life 16th centurary English courtier Thomas Cromwell. The book in the midst of King Hentry VIII's divorce with Cathrine of Aragon and the resulting reformation of the church in England. At the beginning of the book Thomas Cromwell and his then employer Thomas Wolsey the Archbishop of York were trying to lobby Pope Clement VII to declare Henry VIII's marriage as invalid.
In the book Cromwell and Wolsey more than hint that to persuade the Pope payments and gifts would have to be made, explaining that, after all, he was born with de Medici in his name. They also hinted at his lavish lifestyle. It is also suggested that to become the Pope; one needs to make the proper payments to the right Cardinals. Again hinting that this was possible for Pope Clement VII because of his family's financial clout.
Is this a fair assessment to say that Pope Clement used his papacy largely to the benefit of his family interests?
Edit: Slight improvment in grammar.
This is something my history teacher told me some time ago but I'm not sure if it is a myth or an actual thing that happened.
Your Unholiness Antipope Urban VI, Accursed Usurper of Rome, Vicar of Satan, Successor of Judas Iscariot, Abominable Pontiff of the Satanic Church, the Antichrist, Sinful Tyrant of Rome, Servant of the servants of Satan, be warned: Your false reign is at an end. All faithful Christian Europe will see your Satanic antipapacy undone and your unholy being removed from the Chair of Saint Peter, which you defile with your profane presence.
The true Pope, elected by the Sacred College of Cardinals without unlawful interference by criminal mobsters, will be restored to Rome. His reign shall be a great and saintly one, and his name will be exulted on Earth and in the Heavens long after yours is forgotten even by Satan's most lowly henchmen.
Glory to God!
Long live His Holiness Pope Clement VII!
I've read a few 'general interest' books that mention Pope Clement was given crushed gemstones, including diamonds, to treat a stomach ailment. But I can't find a primary source for it. Since he was an unpopular Pope, I wonder if it's just a story made up by his enemies after his death.
Diamonds were very rare in those times, but surely there were enough jewellers around who would know that diamonds are sharp things?
I've also read a similar story about Phillip II's medical treatment before his death. He was the instigator of the Spanish Armada, so I'm wondering if that is just a story made-up by the English?
For some reason, Charles V is unable to interfere leaving Cardinal Wolsey and the English royal treasury to do all the talking.
Can 300 Spartan Hoplites, fighting alongside the 189 Swiss Guards and the Militia, defend Rome? They have 15 days to train with each other and share strategies. Assume that both forces speak the same language.
Bonus Round: Can the Swiss Guards make a difference at the Battle of Thermopylae?
TIL Some Catholics urged Pope Clement VII to ban coffee, calling it "devil's beverage". After tasting the beverage, the Pope is said to have remarked that the drink was "... so delicious that it would be a sin to let only misbelievers drink it".
Repost from TIL, great line!
