Roman Catholic Church: The Roman Catholic Church is one branch of Christianity led by the Pope in Rome. It played a significant role during this time period as it was involved in both religious affairs and political matters.
Protestant Reformation: The Protestant Reformation was a movement that aimed to reform certain practices within the Roman Catholic Church but eventually led to the formation of new branches of Christianity such as Lutheranism and Calvinism.
Counter-Reformation: The Counter-Reformation was an effort made by the Roman Catholic Church to address criticisms raised by Protestant reformers while also revitalizing its own religious practices.