The Catechism in Questions & Answers

596. What is the Reformation?

The Reformation (from the Latin reformatio, meaning “restoration” or “renewal”) was a religious renewal movement in Europe, which was based on the desire to return to the gospel.
It is closely associated with the German monk Martin Luther (1483-1546). According to his conviction, the sole basis of the doctrine was to be the biblical testimony of Jesus Christ. Luther translated the Bible from the Hebrew and Greek languages into German, and thus made it accessible to the people.
The Anglican state church came into being independently in the year 1534.