1600s: In 1611, King James I authorizes the translation and writing of the Holy Bible into English. The King James Version is a poetic masterpiece and makes the Bible available to a growing number of people.

Today: The King James Version of the Bible is still in wide use among English-speaking Christians, in spite of a growing number of translations in contemporary English.

1600s: Anti-Catholicism grows in England along with the growth of the Reformed movement, leading to the English Civil War in 1648 and the beheading of Charles I, James's son.

Today: While most English people are either secular or members of the state sponsored Church of England, there is little or no discrimination against Catholic citizens.

1600s: Women have few rights under the law in England. They may not serve in any political or legal capacity, their inherited wealth is under the direction of...