The Apology of the Church of England

This work is a concise yet powerful defence of the Church of England, composed at the start of Queen Elizabeth’s reign to answer critics who claimed the Reformation had created a brand‑new church. Written originally in Latin for a continent‑wide audience, it argues that English reformers were recovering the ancient faith rather than inventing a novel doctrine, drawing on the first centuries of Christianity to make its case. The author’s clear, methodical style invites listeners to follow a scholarly rebuttal that still resonates with today’s questions about tradition and change.

The English translation was undertaken by Lady Ann Bacon, a highly educated woman of the Tudor court, whose version was vetted by Archbishop Matthew Parker and circulated without naming its creators. Her involvement, alongside a brief portrait of the author’s modest upbringing and tireless work as Bishop of Salisbury, adds a personal dimension to the theological argument. Listeners will come away with a vivid picture of the religious climate of 16th‑century England and the earnest effort to articulate a “true” religion in plain language.