The Reformation consisted not only in a religions change but in an assertion of nationalism, in a class revolt, and in certain cultural revolutions.

It was only the first that the government had any idea of sanctioning, but by so doing it enabled the people later to take matters into their own hands and add the social and cultural elements.

Thus the Reformation in England ran a course quite different from that in Germany.

In the former the cultural revolution came first, followed fast by the rising of the lower and the triumph of the middle classes.

Last of all came the successful realization of a national state.