Northern Europe was experiencing the plague and the Hundred Years War, while Italy had established city-states. Gutenberg's printing press made books cheaper and more widely available, allowing common people to read. This led people to start questioning the Catholic Church. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses challenging Catholic indulgences and beliefs. He believed salvation came from God alone through faith, not from the Church. Henry VIII established the Church of England when the Catholic Church refused to annul his marriage. The Reformation reduced the power of the Catholic Church and increased the power of monarchs and individuals, setting the stage for democracy and modern Europe.