Parallel Timeline of Religious Toleration

year	Poland/Hungary	Germany/Bohemia	Netherlands/England	France/Switzerland/Italy
1502		University of Wittenberg founded by Frederick III, Elector of Saxony
1505			Thomas Tallis born
1508		Luther begins lecturing at the University of Wittenberg
1517		Luther posts his 95 theses in Wittenberg
1519				Genevan revolutionaries called "Eidguenots" (< eidgenossen, "oath- takers") attempt to secure independence from Catholic Savoy, in alliance with Catholic Freiburg Zwingli becomes priest of Great Minster church in Zürich
1521		Luther appears before the Reichstag at Worms; Pope Leo X excommunicates him; he is afterward sequestered (by his patron, Frederick III) in the Wartburg castle near Eisenach
1522		Luther secretly returns to Wittenberg		Zwingli begins reforms in Zürich Johannes Oecolampadius begins reforms in Basel
1524			Anabaptists present in the Netherlands (mentioned as early as 1518)	Zwingli helps spread reform to Bern
1525				Zwingli publishes Commentary on True and False Religion Anabaptists organize near Zürich Besançon Hugues leads successful fight for independence in Geneva; Geneva allies with both Protestant Bern and Catholic Freiburg (1525-1530) Giovanni Palestrina born
1526	Battle of Mohacs: Ottoman Turks defeat Hungary, occupy central Hungary and exercise suzereinty over the Kingdom of Transylvania (formerly part of Hungary)	Anabaptists organize in Augsburg, Strassburg and Moravia		Zürich city council orders Anabaptists drowned
1527		Anabaptist "Martyrs' Synod" convened in Augsburg; Anabaptist synod convened at Schleitheim adopts Schleitheim Confession
1528		Split among Moravian Anabaptists ("Moravian Brethren") results in new community in Austerlitz
1529		Ottoman Turks' siege of Vienna Reichstag at Speyer orders no further religious innovations; the Lutheran minority of the estates entered a formal protest (hence the term "Protestant") Jacob Hutter rescues the Austerlitz Anabaptists from their penchant for schism, forms "Hutterite Brethren"
1531				Zwingli dies (killed in battle); progress of the Reformation in German-speaking Switzerland is halted Michael Servetus publishes On the Errors of the Trinity Orlando di Lasso born
1533		Strassburg magistracy begins to punish Anabaptists, after Melchoir Hofmann preached fanatical apocalpyticism (that the last judgment would come in 1533, starting in Strassburg)
1534		Münster revolution: radical Anabaptists gain control of the city and expel or kill their opponents; polygamy, community of goods were established (1534-1535)	Henry VIII establishes Church of England
1536			In reaction to Münster revolution, Spanish persecute Anabaptists in the Netherlands; many flee to England	John Calvin publishes first edition of his Institutes; is engaged by Geneva to create the institutions of its new Protestant church
1537		Menno Simons rescues the north German Anabaptists from their radicalism, forms "Mennonites"	"Mennonites" establish communities in the Netherlands
1539			Miles Coverdale's Great Bible published William Byrd born
1541	Ottoman Turks occupy Buda	Under Philip Malanchthon's influence, Lutheran churches begin to drift toward an intellectual understanding of faith as assent to doctrines and teachings (reflected in 1540 "altered" edition of the Augsburg Confession); agreement in "pure" doctrine was the only institutional bond between them		Lelio Socinus (of Siena) becomes Protestant
1544	Luther's reforms become known in Transylvania
1545				Council of Trent (1545-1563, off and on)
1548	during reign of King Sigismund II (1548-1572), reforms of Luther, Calvin and the Bohemian Brethren ("Hussites") find followers throughout Poland			Thomas Luis de Victoria born
1550		Lelio Socinus in Wittenberg (1550-1551)	Church of the Strangers established in London; Jan Laski, a Polish Reformed Church leader, is its first superintendent
1551	Heltai Gaspar begins publishing Bible in Hungarian			Lelio Socinus settles in Switzerland
1552				French Protestants begin to be called Huguenots (from Hugues' name, modeled on "Eidguenots")
1553			Church of the Strangers disbanded	Michael Servetus publishes Restitution of Christianity Calvin burns Michael Servetus in Geneva
1555	David Ferencz becomes chief minister of Kolozsvar First synod of the Reformed Church in Krakow	Peace of Augsburg: equal rights to Catholics and Lutherans within Holy Roman Empire (but only one religion per principality)
1556	Second synod of the Reformed Church in Krakow; theological challenges made by Peter Gonesius and Gregory Pauli (Gonesius went on to found antitrinitarian churches in Lithuania that would become associated with the Minor Reformed Church)
1557	David Ferencz becomes bishop of Transylvanian Hungarian Lutheran churches		Thomas Morley born	Giovanni Gabrieli born
1558	Georgio Biandrata in Poland, becomes a leader of the critics of the Reformed Church
1559	Zwingli's and Calvin's reforms become known in Transylvania		Church of the Strangers is re-established in London Philip II of Spain begins campaign for religious uniformity in the Netherlands	final edition of Calvin's Institutes
1560			Anabaptists expelled from England Netherlands' Catholic dioceses reorganized and "freed"	Don Carlo Gesualdo born
1561				Colloquy of Poissy Faustus Socinus in Lyons (1561-1563)
1562				Edict of Toleration: Huguenots gain freedom of public worship outside town walls, and freedom of private worship within them Lelio Socinus dies Faustus Socinus visits Geneva, Zürich; acquires his uncle Lelio's papers
1563	Georgio Biandrata in Kolozsvar		John Dowland born	Faustus Socinus in Italy (1563-1573)
1564	David Ferencz becomes bishop of Transylvanian Hungarian Reformed churches; is appointed court preacher by King John Sigismund
1565	David Ferencz begins preaching against the Trinity Diet of Piotrkow excluded anti- Trinitarians from the synod; they withdraw and form the Minor Reformed Church (AKA Polish Brethren); the old synod becomes known as the Major Reformed Church
1566			iconoclastic riots (reaction to Spanish attempt to enforce the decrees of the Council of Trent)
1567			Duke of Alba suppresses, rules the Netherlands (1567-1573)	Claudio Monteverde born
1568	Edict of Torda proclaims religious toleration in Transylvania		English Catholic seminary established at Douai in Flanders
1569	Jan Sieninski establishes the town of Rakow as a refuge for the Minor Reformed Church
1570				Peace of St.-Germain-en-Laye: nobles given complete freedom of worship; 2 places of worship in each governmental division of France granted to Huguenots; 4 fortified cities placed in Huguenot control
1571	King John Sigismund of Transylvania recognizes four religions: Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, and Unitarian King John Sigismund dies; succeeded by Stephen Bathory, who introduces censorship	Michael Praetorius born	First national synod of Dutch Reformed churches held in Emden
1572	King Stephen Bathory forbids further religious "innovation" Confederation of Warsaw includes provision for religious tolerance (in response to the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in France)		"Sea Beggers" (privateers of Protestant faith) capture Brill, soon gain control of Holland and Zeeland; Holland, Zeeland, Friesland and Utrecht recognize William of Orange as Stadholder	St. Bartholomew's Day massacre
1573
1574			defense of Leyden (control of sea was key)	Faustus Socinus in Basel (1574-1578)
1575			University of Leyden founded
1576	King Stephen Bathory becomes King of Poland; is succeeded as King of Transylvania by his brother, Kristof Bathory		sack of Antwerp Pacification of Ghent: freedom of worship for Calvinists in Holland and Zeeland ethos of religious tolerance takes hold in the Netherlands (northern provinces) Thomas Weelkes born
1577		many followers of Melanchthon, unhappy with restoration of Roman symbols in Lutheran worship, drift into Calvinist faith over the next couple of decades (usually retaining Augsburg Confession and omitting Calvinist system of discipline)	Anabaptists' rights of worship protected (in Netherlands); Protestant uprisings in southern provinces
1578	Faustus Socinus in Kolozsvar (1578-1580), passed through Krakow on his way
1579	Georgio Biandrata denounces David Ferencz to King Kristof Bathory David Ferencz imprisoned; dies in prison		League of Arras (Walloon) and Union of Utrecht (Dutch) formed; migrations of Protestants northward and Catholics southward
1580	Faustus Socinus settles in Krakow, and permanently in Poland (1580-1604)
1581			7 northern provinces declare independence
1583	Faustus Socinus takes refuge from Jesuits on a local nobleman's estate (1583-1587)		Orlando Gibbons born
1588			Jacobus Arminius begins pastorate in Amsterdam
1589				Henry IV (a Huguenot) becomes king of France
1591	Both Major Reformed and Minor Reformed churches in Krakow destroyed by mobs
1592				Henry IV declares himself Catholic for political reasons (Paris population is fiercely Catholic)
1598	Faustus Socinus moves to Luslawice			Edict of Nantes: Huguenots permitted public office, Huguenot public worship is permitted in places, forbidden to force Catholic training on Huguenot children, Huguenots retain their fortified towns
1601	Faustus Socinus convenes meeting of Minor Church leaders to find consensus on essential doctrinal matters (and latitude on nonessentials) through dialogue; social issues also were discussed; work on Racovian Catechism began
1602	Faustus Socinus convenes second meeting for dialogue on social issues Jan Sieninski establishes a college and printing press in Rakow
1603			Jacobus Arminius becomes professor of theology at University of Leyden
1604	Faustus Socinus dies
1605	Racovian Catechism published in Rakow
1608		Catholic estates in the Reichstag at Regensburg demand Catholic restitution	Separatist congregation in Gainsborough, England, relocates to Amsterdam
1609		Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II issues "Letter of Majesty" granting Bohemia a high degree of religious tolerance	Separatist congregation in Scrooby, England (a spin-off of the Gainsborough congregation) relocates to Leyden Portion of the Gainsborough Separatists form English General Baptist (Arminian, champions of religious tolerance) congregation in Holland (distinct from the Calvinist Particular Baptists, formed in England in the 1630s); the rest drift into Mennonite movement Jacobus Arminius dies
1610			Followers of Jacobus Arminius draw up a statement of faith called the "Remonstrance" (made room for human choice within predestination doctrine); they favored religious tolerance, republican government, rights of magistracy in ecclesiastical governance, and truce with Spain; their politics were opposed by stadholder Maurice of Nassau
1611	Iwan Tyszkiewicz, member of the Minor Reformed Chruch, tortured and executed for heresy in Warsaw		King James Bible published General Baptists return from Holland to England
1614			Servetus's On the Errors of the Trinity published in the Netherlands James I orders English translation of Racovian Catechism, dedicated to him, burned
1617		Ferdinand of Styria becomes King of Bohemia, harrasses Protestants
1618		Defenestration of Prague (fed-up Protestant leaders throw Catholic legates out the window of the castle); beginning of Thirty Years' War
1619	Second edition of Racovian Catechism published	Ferdinand of Styria becomes Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II	Synod of Dort forbids Arminians to preach, asserts "Five Points of Calvinism"; many Arminians and other religious liberals find safe harbor in the Socinian communities of Poland
1620			Pilgrims (from the former Scrooby Separatist congregation) embark for America
1622	Hutterites relocate to Hungary from Moravia
1625			Frederick Henry of Nassau (friendly to Arminians) becomes stadholder; many Arminians return, slowly built Remonstrant-Reformed Church (its piety was ethical and intellectual, influenced by Socinianism); it received official recognition in 1795
1627	Major Reformed and Minor Reformed churches outlawed in Lublin, Poland (later overturned)
1629		Edict of Restitution: orders restoration to Catholics of ecclesiastical property that had come into Protestant hands since 1552, expulsion of Protestants from Catholic-ruled lands, recognition of only Catholics and Lutherans	Massachusetts Bay colony is chartered; migrations of Non-Separatist Puritans throughout the 1630s	Edict of Nimes: Huguenots' priviliges officially preserved, but increased persecution hereafter
1630			Religious liberals granted freedom of residence in Holland. Most exiles in Poland returned to Holland with a deeper understanding of the Socinian movement
1632				Jean-Baptiste Lully born
1633			Remonstrants found a seminary, separate from Dutch Calvinists; Socinian influence continues among them and among the "Mennonites"
1635	Minor Reformed church ordered closed in Lublin; the Jesuits take possession of the site
1636	Socinians excluded from protection under the Confederation of Warsaw
1637		Dietrich Buxtehude born
1638	Two boys damage a crucifix outside Rakow, that had been put up by a Catholic who disputed the property line between him and his Socinian neighbor; this is the excuse for Jesuit attacks and suppression of the community: the school and press are destroyed, and Socinians evicted from the town General synod of Minor Reformed Church held in Kisielin, Ukraine; that city is established as new center of the faith; overture is made to local Calvinist congregation to form a political alliance for religious toleration (rejected)
1640	Catholic church is built on site of Rakow's Minor Reformed Church
1642			First English Civil War (1642-1646); Oliver Cromwell's army was composed of "religious men" who, by1646, were demanding a large degree of religious toleration and the freedom to follow their own convictions
1643
1644
1646	Kisielin Minor Reformed Church and its school are closed, burned in joint Catholic/Orthodox persecution		George Fox has revelation of the "inner light" Westminster Confession (Presbyterian) published to define theology and governance of the Church of England.
1647			George Fox begins preaching, starts "Quaker" movement
1648	Cossack Wars destroy Socinian centers in Poland; half of Minor Reformed congregations are lost	Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years' War; German Calvinists gain full rights	Second English Civil War (1648-1649) Cambridge Platform (Congregational) published to register assent of Massachusetts churches to the Westminster Confession except for its provisions regarding governance.
1649			Third English Civil War (1649-1651); Charles I beheaded; English Commonwealth established (1649-1653)
1652			First "Quaker" community gathered
1653		Johann Pachelbel born	English Protectorate (1653-1659); Cromwell instituted a large degree of religious toleration and a broad establishment that included Episcopalian Puritans, Presbyterians, Independents and Baptists, but military rule was resented	Archangelo Corelli born
1654	War between Lithuania and Russia destroyed Socinian congregations in Lithuania
1655	Swedes intervene in Cossack/Russian wars, invade Poland; offer Socinians refuge in Krakow
1656			"Quakers" in Massachusetts
1658	Socinianism banished from Poland (for treason – because the Swedes had sheltered them – and heresy); Polish Diet issues decree giving the Minor Reformed Church the choice of conversion to Catholicism or exile by 1660
1659			English Commonwealth restored (1659-1660) under Richard Cromwell; anarchy ensues Henry Purcell born
1660	Most Socinians convert to Catholicism; refugees go to Holland and join the Remonstrants (who accepted them on the basis of the Apostles' Creed), or to England, or to East Prussia (around Königsberg), or to Kolozsvar (where a Polish Unitarian church existed until 1793); Kreuzburg becomes center for Socinians in exile		English monarchy restored (Charles II) by a coalition of Royalists and Presbyterians	Alessandro Scarlatti born
1662			Act of Uniformity places Puritans outside the Church of England, as Dissenters
1663	First Socinian synod in Königsberg
1665	Second Socinian synod in Königsberg (now calling themselves Unitarians); petitioned successfully for religious toleration; Unitarian worship continued in East Prussia until 1803		Bibliotheca fratrum polonorum (the collected publications of Rakow press) published in Amsterdam; it includes work by Hans Krell, Jonas Schlichting (Szlichtyng), Faustus Socinus and Johann Ludwig Wolzogen. The title page of this collection, bearing the words quos Unitarios vocant, introduced this term to Western Europe (1665-1669) Great Plague in London (1665-1666)
1666		Philipp Jacob Spener becomes chief pastor in Frankfurt	Great Fire of London George Fox develops a discipline for "Quaker" communities; William Penn becomes a "Quaker" preacher Andrew Wiszowaty, grandson of Faustus Socinus and leader of Socinian exiles, settles in Amsterdam
1670		Spener begins small group ministry of Bible reading, prayer and discussion, called collegia pietatis (whence the term "pietism")
1671	Socinians expelled from Kreuzburg
1675		Spener publishes Pia desideria, detailing plans for cultivating a warmer Christian life: Bible reading (shift of emphasis from creeds to scriptures), mutual watch and helpfulness (priesthood of all believers), better training for clergy toward building up the Christian life of their parishioners, emphasis on experimental (experiential/mystical) knowledge of religion and ascetic discipline
1677			Some 800 "Quakers" settle in New Jersey (1677-1678)
1678			Andrew Wiszowaty dies	Antonio Vivaldi born
1680			Revised Racovian Catechism, developed by Andrew Wiszowaty and collaborators, is published (some evolution of doctrine, and more appeals to reason)
1681			Charles II grants Pennsylvania charter
1682			Philadelphia founded
1685	Hutterites leave Hungary	Johann Sebastian Bach, George Friedrich Handel born	Death of Charles II ends repression of Dissenters	Edict of Nantes revoked Domenico Scarlatti born
1686		Spener accepts call to Dresden as court preacher August Hermann Francke helps found collegium philobiblicum at the University of Leipzig
1687		Francke has mystical experience ("divine new birth") on visit to Lüneburg, visits Spener in Dresden, becomes pietist	James II issues a Declaration of Indulgence granting complete religious toleration; alarmed Protestants recognize that his aim is to strengthen and ultimately restore Catholicism Thomas Firman funds Stephen Nye's "A History of the Unitarians, Also Called Socinians" (first in a series known as The Unitarian Tracts)
1689		Francke returns to Leipzig, introduces Spener's form of small group ministry	England's "Glorious Revolution": Dutch prince William of Orange and his wife (James II's daughter) succeed James II as King William III and Queen Mary II of England; Act of Toleration declared freedom of worship for Dissenters (including "Quakers"), except Catholics and deniers of the Trinity
1690		Christian Thomasius, rationalist, skeptic, defender of religious tolerance, is exiled from Leipzig, where he is a popular professor
1691		Spener accepts pastorate in Berlin
1694		University of Halle founded by Frederick III of Brandenburg under Spener's leadership; becomes a center of pietism and defense of religious tolerance (with Thomasius on faculty); in the 18th c initiates missions to India
1699		Spener's friend, Gottfried Arnold, publishes Unparteiische Kirchen und Ketzer-Historie, asserting the view that no one should be deemed a heretic just because their own age so judged them, but should be judged on their merits – heretical thought should be a respected part of the dialogue of faith