Reformation And The Transformation Of Marriage In Europe

The Reformation in 16-17th century is a transformation period from middle age to modern time. During it, politics, economy, religion and culture developed very much. Through Reformation, people are liberated from control of church and theology; they constituted new creeds of ethic and morality. At this time, the reformation of matrimony is one burden of so much reformation that was brought by reformers who presented their opinions on marriage and made their own marriage become true. Their married practice was a big hit to the celibacy of Catholic. At the same time, author analyzes the unreligious people's marriage lives, and shows that reformer made great contribution to the development of Europe marriage and Society.The first part looks back the development of opinion of Christians in matrimony before Refonnation. The second and third part analyzes the opinion and practice of Reformers. The fourth part sums up the marital change of churches and abbeys in some European countries. The fifth part deals with the unreligious people's marital lives.In conclusion, author summarizes the characteristics and status of reformation of marriage. At first, reformers finished unmeaningful quarrel about problems of matrimony launched by theologian, they looked for answers directly from Bible.The reformers presented their opinions on marriage and made their own marriage become true, and their behaviors were models of their offspring. Second, not only did their opinion affect the development of matrimony in Europe, but also from the aspects of politics, economy and culture, we can see the function of matrimony in every part of lives in history. And the influence was the base for development of marriage and family. However, the status of women was still lower, the reformers and kings strengthened patriarchy; these problems are shortage of the reformation in marriage.