26. Edward VI, Mary Tudor, and an English Tug of War

Following the death of Henry VIII, England experienced the roller-coaster of a strong protestant king following by an even more determined Catholic Queen. The blood and pain inflicted on the English people during this period left a lasting impact that was finally substantially resolved in the policies of Elizabeth, but for the moment, the outcomes were anything but certain. Against this backdrop, careers of courageous spirits on both sides of the controversy paved the way to eventual ideas of religious freedom and liberty of conscience.