Discuss the role of Reginald Pole in the English Reformation.

Reginald Pole played a significant role in the English Reformation as a prominent Catholic figure who opposed Henry VIII's religious changes.

Reginald Pole was a cardinal and the last Roman Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury, serving from 1556 until his death in 1558. He was a key figure in the counter-reformation, the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation. Pole was a cousin of Henry VIII and was initially favoured by the king. However, his opposition to Henry's break with Rome led to his exile and his family's execution.

Pole's role in the English Reformation was complex and multifaceted. He was a staunch defender of the Catholic faith and a vocal critic of the Protestant Reformation. He was also a scholar and a theologian, and his writings were influential in shaping the Catholic Church's response to the challenges posed by the Reformation. His book "Pro ecclesiasticae unitatis defensione" (In Defence of Church Unity) was a direct response to Henry VIII's break with Rome and was seen as a significant contribution to the counter-reformation.

Pole's opposition to the English Reformation was not just intellectual. He was actively involved in the political machinations of the time. He was a key figure in the reign of Mary I, who sought to reverse the Protestant reforms of her father and brother and restore Catholicism as the state religion. Pole was instrumental in this process, and his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury was a clear signal of Mary's intentions.

However, Pole's efforts to restore Catholicism were ultimately unsuccessful. His tenure as Archbishop was marked by the brutal persecution of Protestants, which earned Mary the nickname "Bloody Mary". This, combined with his failure to produce a Catholic heir, meant that the re-establishment of Catholicism was short-lived. After Mary's death, her sister Elizabeth I reversed her policies and re-established Protestantism as the state religion.

In conclusion, Reginald Pole was a significant figure in the English Reformation. His intellectual contributions to the counter-reformation, his political involvement in the reign of Mary I, and his role as Archbishop of Canterbury all mark him out as a key player in this tumultuous period of English history. However, his efforts to restore Catholicism were ultimately unsuccessful, and his legacy is a complex one.