The cost of gaining and retaining the papacy, the cost of the ambitious building programs, and the cost of luxurious living all necessitated the generating of great revenue by the papacy. These funds were secured by taxes, fees, and fines levied against the upper echelons of the clergy, who in turn passed on the expenses to the lower clergy and laity. By the late Middle Ages, many looked upon Rome and the Catholic Church upper hierarchy as venal and immoral. Throughout the centuries many ca e or a reform of current developments and a return to the pattern of the primitive church. These voices arose from within the ranks of Catholic clergy and from lay figures as well.

This lesson focus on these topics:
PRE-REFORMATION EFFORTS:
• Peter Waldo and the Waldensians
• Apostolic Life Movement
• John Wycliffe
• Jan Hus
THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION
• Martin Luther
• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Calvin
• Henry VIII and the Church of England