English Catholicism

England was a Catholic country for more than ten centuries. It is through an incident that could have remained insignificant, that the English church changes its course in the 16th century. Indeed, first invaded by Roman troops in the 2nd century, then by the Saxons and the Angles from the 5th century, England is converted to Christianity around the 5th century, under the authority of Augustine, a monk sent by pope Gregory I. He founds the see of Canterbury, the first pillar of the Christian church in the south of the country, from which the movement will spread. In the 8th century the new Anglo-Saxon church is created, becoming one of the strongest outposts of Roman Christendom and one of the most brilliant religious, scientific and literary foundations of the west.
The arrival of William of Normandy in 1066 produces its quasi-definitive shape. He appoints the bishops and abbots and invites priors from Italy who stay in Canterbury introducing the Roman notion of the absolute sovereignty of the Prince. From this date, until the 16th century, the Catholic and Roman Church of England enjoys independence and very extended privileges that are judiciously exploited by Rome. When in the 15th century wars of religion begin to unsettle Europe, this Catholic Church appears unshakable. The Protestant Reformation, although having some sympathisers among the literate English, could have never reached England if the course of history had been otherwise. Events were led notably by the strong personality and popularity of the monarch Henry VIII to whom the Pope refuses divorce.
Though a recognised Catholic, the king's persistence will lead to schism and the Pope excludes the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Certainly the motives are more political than religious because Rome is then at the mercy of Charles Quint, the nephew of Catherine of Aragon, the wife that Henry VIII wants to abandon. But the result is certain: from that time on the Church of England will no longer be Catholic. The breach is open and Protestant ideas flood in from the continent, notably under the reign of Edward VI, son of Henry VIII. During a short period, Mary Tudor, sister of Edward VI, attempts to bring back Catholicism to England, but the bloody and extremist methods that she uses to impose it cause more harm than good. Elizabeth I, who follows her, temporises between Calvinists and Catholics and creates the Anglican Church, mid-way between these contrary models. If the Protestants, with the exception of the Puritans, are satisfied by this solution, the Catholics are not convinced and turn to Mary Stuart, heiress of Elizabeth, fomenting the plots that trouble the latter. Her fears are such that she has Mary Stuart executed in 1585 provoking the intervention of the very Catholic Kingdom of Spain against England. The victory of the English fleet over the Invincible Armada doesn't help the position of the Catholics.
Yet, with the arrival of the Stuarts on the throne in 1603, they again struggle to see their religion linked to the Crown of England.
From plots to civil wars, the religious question in the 17th century is further complicated by the fact that the Anglican Church is not unanimously accepted. The hopes of the Catholics are short-lived even though Charles II is favourable to them, and the dreamt-of return of a Catholic king, James II, is achieved towards the end of the century. This short reign, that ineptly attempts to impose the Catholic religion again, is very soon interrupted by the Revolution of 1688 that once and for all recognises the Anglican faith in England.