The Rise of the Protestants
Welcome to my podcast.
This podcast examines the rise of Protestantism, its challenge to established traditions, its transformation of core beliefs, and its role in initiating global change.
England’s Nonconformist and Separatist movements are central to this narrative, and their influence continues to shape the broader Christian tradition.
By examining these movements within the broader context of Christian history, we can understand how they altered doctrine, influenced Western Christianity, and intensified the enduring division between Roman Catholicism and emerging Protestant groups.
The series follows a chronological timeline, beginning in early 16th-century Germany with Martin Luther’s excommunication and concluding a century later on England’s southern coast.
The initial 12-episode series highlights the contributions of Beza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is often called the father of Congregationalism.
The series does not seek to persuade listeners or promote any specific belief system.
Instead, it aims to explore the events, ideas, and conflicts that shaped one of the most important times in European religious history.
Throughout the series, the determination and conviction of early Puritans, Nonconformists, and Separatists are highlighted.
These individuals challenged prevailing norms, endured persecution, and often risked their lives for their beliefs.
Their courage contributed to the foundation of religious freedom and individual rights that remain widely valued today.
The first 12 episode series highlights the contributions of figures such as eza, Vermigli, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, and Robert Browne, who is frequently referred to as the father of Congregationalism.
Each episode begins and ends with a brief musical piece that reflects its theme.
A complete transcript will be provided for each episode.
The Rise of the Protestants
Bonus Episode — The Appointment of Sarah Mullally (Transcript added)
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Feel free to email me your thoughts.
Dame Sarah Mullally, former Bishop of London and a one-time Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS, became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March 20 26.
As the first woman to lead both the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion, her appointment marks a historic moment. She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down, following criticism over his handling of an abuse scandal.
Her priorities are clear: to improve safeguarding, offer strong pastoral leadership, and address what she has described, as the Church’s “Legacy of Harm”.
The artwork is : St John the Baptist church Inglesham, Wiltshire.
St John the Baptist Church in Inglesham, near Swindon in Wiltshire, has Anglo-Saxon origins, though much of the present structure dates from around 1205. Remarkably, large parts of the building have remained unchanged since the medieval period. Now a Grade I listed building, the church has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust since 1981 and is no longer used for regular worship.
It stands above the water meadows, close to where the River Thames meets the River Coln and the Thames and Severn Canal. Much of the fabric dates from the 13th century, though traces of an earlier church still survive. Inside, the walls tell a unique story—layered with paintings spanning over 600 years, in some places up to seven layers thick. There is also an Anglo-Saxon carving of the Virgin and Child, along with historic box pews, a pulpit, and memorials.
The church’s history reflects its importance. In 1205, King John granted it to the Cistercian monks of Beaulieu Abbey. Later, in 1231, Pope Gregory IX confirmed this arrangement at the request of Henry III. Then, in 1355, both the manor and the church passed into the hands of a Leicester hospital, The College of the Annunciation of St Mary.
The featured music is “Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son,” recognised as one of the most significant hymns of Easter.
Ben Maton performs this piece on the harmonium, a small reed organ, recorded inside St John the Baptist Church.The organ, constructed by Story & Clark of Chicago and installed between 1880 and 1890, remains preserved in the church today. It is notable that an American organ continues to function after nearly 150 years in a small medieval English country church.
After a short introduction, the music plays at 3 minutes 54 seconds.
Listeners interested in this performance may wish to explore additional works by Ben Maton, also known as The Salisbury Organist.Further performances by Ben Maton are available at www.youtube.com/@SalisburyOrganist.
Swiss minister Edmond Budry composed the lyrics, which are set to a triumphant melody by George Frideric Handel, who is best known for Messiah. The melody originally appeared in Handel’s 1747 oratorio Joshua, a work that celebrates victory in battle and aligns with the hymn’s theme. More than a century later, Budry wrote new words inspired by loss but filled with hope in the resurrection. The hymn was first written in French, and it reached a wider audience when Richard Hoyle translated it into English in 1923. At its core, the hymn conveys a simple yet powerful message: through Christ, death is overcome, and victory is achieved.
© 2026 The Rise of the Protestants., Author, Shaughan Holt.
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Before we turn to the next chapter, it’s worth reflecting for a moment on something more recent, something that in its own way, echoes the themes we are about to explore.
As I was preparing the next episode for release, I caught the closing moments of a live BBC Radio broadcast - the installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral.
At first, it might seem unrelated.
And yet, I think it provides a fitting place to begin.
Dame Sarah Mullally, former Bishop of London and a one-time Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS, became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on 25 March 2026.
As the first woman to lead both the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion, her appointment marks a historic moment.
She succeeds Justin Welby, who stepped down, following criticism over his handling of an abuse scandal.
Her priorities are clear: to improve safeguarding, offer strong pastoral leadership, and address what she has described, as the Church’s “Legacy of Harm”.
The selection of a new Archbishop of Canterbury, has sparked lively discussions, both within the Church and throughout the broader community.
For many, this marks a historic turning point, highlighting the Church of England’s evolving identity, and its growing embrace, of women in leadership roles.
Supporters view this as a natural step, and part of a larger effort, to welcome more people into the Church.
However, not everyone agrees.
Some people prefer a traditional view of church leadership, based on their reading of scripture and the Church’s long history.
For these individuals, the debate is not about specific people, but about theology, tradition, and the Church’s purpose.
Additionally, the broader, global dimension must also be considered.
The Church of England is part of the Anglican Communion, a worldwide family of churches with diverse perspectives.
Because of this connection, decisions made in England can influence churches worldwide.
Some have expressed concern, that the appointment of a female Archbishop could make current divisions worse.
Major conservative Anglican groups, like GAFCON, GSFA, and the Church of Nigeria, were among the main opponents, of Dame Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Their concerns, were about her gender, her liberal views on sexuality, and her theological positions.
Critics argued, that her appointment defied long-held traditions of male leadership, and further widened the rift within the Anglican Communion.
Because of this opposition, some conservative leaders, began to question, whether the Archbishop of Canterbury could still be considered a credible leader, within the global Anglican Communion.
As a result, some Conservative Anglican provinces declared they would no longer follow the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In many ways, this debate is not new.
Since the Reformation, the Church of England has struggled with issues of authority, structure and reform.
For example, the Puritans wanted more change, but others tried to keep things the same.
Taking this even further, some, like the Separatists of Gainsborough and Scrooby, concluded that reform from within was no longer possible.
These same tensions, still exist today.
Some people call for change and want the church to adapt to new situations, while others, want to stay true to long-held beliefs.
Although the context has changed, the underlying tensions still persist, but in new forms.
Episode Show Notes:
The artwork is : St John the Baptist church Inglesham, Wiltshire.
St John the Baptist Church in Inglesham, near Swindon in Wiltshire, has Anglo-Saxon origins, though much of the present structure dates from around 1205.
Remarkably, large parts of the building have remained unchanged since the medieval period.
Now a Grade I listed building, the church has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust since 1981 and is no longer used for regular worship.
It stands above the water meadows, close to where the River Thames meets the River Coln and the Thames and Severn Canal.
Much of the buildings fabric dates from the 13th century, though traces of an earlier church still survive.
Inside, the walls tell a unique story, layered with paintings spanning over 600 years, in some places up to seven layers thick.
There is also an Anglo-Saxon carving of the Virgin and Child, along with historic box pews, a pulpit, and memorials.
The church’s history reflects its importance. In 1205, King John granted it to the Cistercian monks of Beaulieu Abbey.
Later, in 1231, Pope Gregory IX confirmed this arrangement at the request of Henry III.
Then, in 1355, both the manor and the church passed into the hands of a Leicester hospital, The College of the Annunciation of St Mary.
The featured music is “Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son,” recognised as one of the most significant hymns of Easter.
Ben Maton performs this piece on the harmonium, a small reed organ, recorded inside St John the Baptist Church.
The organ, constructed by Story & Clark of Chicago and installed between 1880 and 1890, remains preserved in the church today.
It is notable that an American organ continues to function after nearly 150 years in a small medieval English country church.
After a short introduction, the music plays at 3 minutes 54 seconds.
Listeners interested in this performance may wish to explore additional works by Ben Maton, also known as The Salisbury Organist. Further performances by Ben Maton are available at www.youtube.com/@SalisburyOrganist.
Swiss minister Edmond Budry composed the lyrics, which are set to a triumphant melody by George Frideric Handel, who is best known for Messiah.
The melody originally appeared in Handel’s 1747 oratorio Joshua, a work that celebrates victory in battle and aligns with the hymn’s theme.
More than a century later, Budry wrote new words inspired by loss but filled with hope in the resurrection.
The hymn was first written in French, and it reached a wider audience when Richard Hoyle translated it into English in 1923.
At its core, the hymn conveys a simple yet powerful message: through Christ, death is overcome, and victory is achieved.