I believe the Protestant Reformation started in England under King Henry VIII, who wanted a marriage annulment. This led to a confrontation with the Pope.
Later, Mary was Sovereign and also a Catholic, so some Protestants were persecuted.
Later still, Elizabeth I became Sovereign and instituted the anti-Jesuit acts, 1585 also known as:
27 Elizabeth, Cap. 2 , 27th Regnal Year, chapter 2.
Here’s a link to the text:
Act Against Jesuits and Seminarists,
http://history.hanover.edu/texts/ENGref/er85.html
According to Wikipedia, Henry VIII was succeeded by the Protestant Edward VI; however, Edward fell terminally ill and died at 15. This led to a contest for the succession to Edward VI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VI_of_England
Jane Seymour was the third wife of Henry VIII, and the mother of
Edward VI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Seymour
Women’s Lib? Nah. Had to wait 400 years …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Boleyn