Anglicanism arguably originated in 1534 when Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, which transferred papal power over the Church of England to the king. Today, approximately 550 dioceses are located around the world, not only in England, but also everywhere that the British Empire's area of influence extended. With an estimated total membership of about 75 million, Anglicanism is one of the largest and most varied Christian denominations.

With such a long history and widespread flock, it is not easy to keep track of the variations of a religious community that has not ceased adapting since its inception. Hundreds of entries on significant persons and events, concepts and institutions, rituals and liturgy, and national communities, make this an invaluable reference for religious historians, theologians, and researchers. Also included are an introduction, a chronology that traces the church's evolution over time, and a bibliography.