An Introduction to the Reformation, Lesson #2: Why Was the Reformation Necessary?

How did the divisions between clergy, laity, and monks exacerbate tensions in the late medieval church and distort the idea of what salvation was? This lecture delves into the structure of the medieval church and the problems that arose from its idea of different grades of holiness. It also looks at the conflicts between popes and emperors and the ways that the Papacy became increasingly political in its claims, setting the stage for a backlash in the 16th century.