Timeline

A timeline of Methodism since 1483 with links to the relevant episodes.
1483
Martin Luther is Born

Martin Luther was born in 1483 in Eisleben in the Electorate of Saxony.

1494
William Tyndale is Born

Tyndale produced a major English translation of the Bible which helped form part of the basis for the King James Version.

1489
Thomas Cramner is Born

The future principle author of the Book of Common Prayer and Book of Homilies is born in Nottinghamshire, England.

1509
John Calvin is Born

John Calvin is born in Noyon in the region of Picardy in the Kingdom of France.

1525
German Peasant's War

Large areas around central Europe began to revolt against their magistrates. The Bauernkrieg, or Peasants’ War, was quickly crushed by the princes to Luther’s surprising delight.

1546
Martin Luther dies

Luther dies of natural causes in the same city of his birth, Eisleben.

1549
First Edition of the Book of Common Prayer

Bishop Cramner publishes the first BCP during the reign of King Edward VI. Though he was young and his reign was brief, Edward was influential in this early period of the autonomous English Church.

1554
Richard Hooker is Born

Hooker was born during the brief reign of Queen Mary but grew up during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

1555
Johann Arndt is Born

Arndt, one of the founders of German Pietism and author of True Christianity, is born near Ballenstedt in Anhalt.

1560
Jacob Armnius Born

Jacob Armnius was born in Oudewater at the beginning of the conflict between the United Provinces and the Spanish Hapsburgs.

1563
The End of the Council of Trent

TThe 19th ecumenical council of the Catholic Church lasted for 18 years and attempted to respond to the rise of Protestantism.

1564
Calvin dies.

Theodore Beza takes over authority in Geneva and becomes the central figure of the second generation of Reformed theology in Continental Europe.

1595
Hooker publishes The Lawes...

The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity are first published developing a robust and unique Anglican theology.

1603
Arminius appointed to Leiden

Jacob Arminius is appointed to the University of Leiden which eventually led to charged brought against his theological writings.

1604
Hampton Court Conference

King James I calls a conference as the new King and a new English translation is proposed.

1613
Jeremy Taylor is born

The English pastor and author of Holy Living and Holy Dying is born in Cambridge.

1617
Synod of Dort begins

A national church council for the United Provinces begins to unite the country and clarify a theological response to Arminianism.

1620
Samuel Annesley is born

The father of Susanna and grandfather of John Wesley is born in Warwickshire, England.

1625
Charles I Crowned King

King Charles I takes the thrown at a delicate time in the history of England.

1633
William Laud becomes Archbishop of Cantebury

King Charles I replaces the Reformed George Abbot with the high church, William Laud.

1635
Philipp Spener is Born

Spener, the central figure in German Pietism and author of the Pia desideria, is born in Upper Alsace.

1635
Edward Stillingfleet is Born

Stillingfleet was a pastor and theologian influential on Wesley's view of the ancient church.

1636
John Westley is born.

The grandfather of John and Charles is born in Dorsetshire. The spelling of his family name changed from time to time.

1636
The Bishops' War

Scotland rebels against England because of a new Scottish prayerbook produced by William Laud

1641
Anthony Horneck is born

The German pastor who would later help start English societies is born in Bacharach.

1642
English Civil War

Charles attempts to arrest five members of parliament instagating the first English Civil War.

1645
Battle of Naseby

The resounding victory of Thomas Fairfax at Naseby crushed the Royalists and ended the first part of the Civil War.

1647
Westminster Catechism

The Westminster Assembly publishes the Westminster Catechism in the midst of Civil War.

1649
King Charles Executed

A rump of the Long Parliament convicted Charled of treason and executed him, thus ending the monarchy for a time.

1653
Oliver Cromwell named Lord Protector

The calvary General, Cromwell, consolidated power and helped form a new constitution for the English. He also defeated the Dutch.

1658
Cromwell Dies

The death of Oliver Cromwell led to the return of the Stuarts and the crowning of King Charles II.

1662
New Prayerbook Published

Charles II publishes an updated Book of Common Prayer that will be in print during the life of John Wesley.

1662
Samuel Wesley is born.

Samuel is born in Dorset.

1663
August Hermann Francke is born.

Francke is born in Lüblin and will become an influential figure in the group known as the Moravians.

1669
Susanna Wesley is born.

Theologian Susanna Wesley is born in St. Giles, London.

1686
William Law is born

Law, the theologian and spiritual writer, is born in King's Cliffe.

1688
Susanna and Samuel Wesley are married

Their marriage takes place after Samuel's time at Oxford and before his ordination.

1688
Samuel Wesley sent to South Ormsby

Samuel receives his first real appointment as a pastor and the family moves from London to Lincolnshire.

1691
The Glorious Revolution

William of Orange invades England; is declared king. Act of Toleration is passed that allows freedom of worship for nonconformists.

1697
Samuel Wesley sent to Epworth

Samuel receives the appointment to Epworth where he will serve until his death in 1735.

1700
Zinzendorff is born.

Nikolaus Ludwig, Reichsgraf von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf is born in Dresdon to one of the most prominent families in the area.

1702
Queen Anne is Crowned

Anne becomes Queen after the death of her brother-in-law, William of Orange.

1703
John Wesley is born

Wesley is born on June 17, 1703, in Epworth.

1709
The Epworth Fire

A fire breaks out in the parsonage at Epworth and burns the structure down, almost killing young John Wesley.

1714
John Wesley goes to Charterhouse

John leaves home for the first time to head to the Charterhouse School in London.

1714
King George I is crowned

The Hanoverian prince becomes king of England because of his Protestant faith.

1716
Charles Wesley goes to Westminster

Charles Wesley follows older brother, Samuel, to the Westminster School.

1720
John Wesley enters Christ Church, Oxfordr

John Wesley arrives in Oxford following the tradition of his father and brother.

1725
John Wesley is ordained a deacon

In January, John decides to become a priest and he is ordained a deacon in September of 1725.

1729
John Wesley returns to Oxford

John leaves Wroot and returns to take up his position at Lincoln College again. He begins to meet regularly with other students in what will become the Holy Club..