The Protestant Reformation, a reform movement in the Holy Roman Empire that begins in 1517, though its roots lie further back in time, involves cultural, economic, political and religious aspects.

It begins with Martin Luther and ends with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.

The movement begins as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church.

Many western Catholics are troubled by what they see as false doctrines and malpractices within the Church, particularly involving the teaching and sale of indulgences.

Another major contention is the practice of buying and selling church positions (simony) and considerable corruption within the Church's hierarchy.

This corruption is seen by many at the time as systemic, even reaching the position of the Pope.On October 31, 1517, in Saxony (in present Germany), Martin Luther nails his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, which serves as a notice board for university-related announcements.

These are points for debate that criticize the Church and the Pope.

The most controversial points center on the practice of selling indulgences and the Church's policy on Purgatory.

Luther's spiritual predecessors are men such as John Wycliffe and Jan Hus.

Other radicals, such as Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin, soon followLuther's lead.

Church beliefs and practices under attack by Protestant reformers include Purgatory, particular judgment, devotion to Mary (Mariology), the intercession of and devotion to the saints, most of the sacraments, the mandatory celibacy requirement of its clergy (including monasticism), and the authority of the Pope.The most important denominations to emerge directly from the Reformation are the Lutherans, the Reformed/Calvinists/Presbyterians, and the Anabaptists.

The Protestant Reformation is also referred to as the German Reformation, Protestant Revolution, Protestant Revolt, and, in Germany, the Lutheran Reformation.

The process of reform has decidedly different causes and effects in England, where the period becomes known as the English Reformation and gives rise to Anglicanism.Subsequent Protestant denominations generally trace their roots back to the initial reforming movements.

The reformers also accelerate the Catholic or Counter Reformation within the Catholic Church.