Anglicanism emerged as a distinct church in the
16th century during the English Reformation. While the seeds were sown earlier, the key period of its formation was between
1534 and 1559.
Here's a breakdown:
* 1534: Act of Supremacy: This act, passed by the English Parliament, declared King Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England, breaking away from papal authority. This is often seen as the initial formal step towards Anglicanism.
* Reigns of Edward VI and Mary I: The Church of England underwent periods of further reformation under Edward VI, followed by a return to Roman Catholicism under Mary I.
* 1559: Elizabethan Religious Settlement: With the accession of Queen Elizabeth I, the Church of England found a more stable identity. The Act of Supremacy was reinstated, and the Act of Uniformity established a common form of worship. This settlement is considered a crucial point in the consolidation of Anglicanism as a distinct tradition, seeking a *via media* (middle way) between Protestantism and Catholicism.
Therefore, while the break with Rome began in 1534, the Elizabethan Settlement of 1559 is typically viewed as the point at which Anglicanism took a more definite and recognizable form.