Excommunication - GCSE History Definition

In GCSE History, excommunication means being officially kicked out of the Church. This meant a person could no longer take part in church services or receive sacraments, which, at the time, people believed were needed to go to heaven. In the past, the Catholic Church was very powerful, so being excommunicated did not just affect someone’s religion, it also hurt their reputation and authority. For example, Henry VIII was excommunicated by the Pope after he broke away from the Catholic Church and made himself head of the Church of England. Later, Elizabeth I was also excommunicated in 1570, which encouraged some Catholics to see her as an illegitimate queen. This increased the threat of plots and rebellions against her, and shaped her tough policies on religion. Understanding excommunication helps students see how religion and power were closely linked in this period.