The Council of Trent: the three sessions; doctrine and the extent of reform
The Council of Trent was a series of major Catholic Church meetings held between 1545 and 1563. Church leaders used it to define Catholic beliefs clearly and to tackle corruption inside the Church.
Real World
When the Council of Trent confirmed transubstantiation as official doctrine in 1551, it drew a permanent theological line between Catholicism and Protestantism — the same division that would fuel the French Wars of Religion just a decade later.
Exam Focus
When asked to 'assess' Trent, distinguish between doctrinal reaffirmation and practical reform — examiners reward precision on what changed versus what stayed the same.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?