The scientific revolution had been building up since the middle ages. It was thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas who laid the foundation for the scientific theory. It was ignited though by Copernicus, who had decided to introduce the idea of a heliocentric model of the universe. There were also other factors that helped the revolution as well. With countries becoming more centralized kings and queens began to fund scientists. King John funded mathematics in Portugal, Queen Elizabeth created Gresham College, and King Charles II helped start the Royal Society and the Naval Laboratories. In addition to that the church was having severe internal problems. The church is normally portrayed as a force that exists to stop science. In which case it has somewhat been. For example, the church stirs up controversy on topics such as cloning or abortion, both a branch of science. Back in Luther's and Copernicus time they were against things such as the heliocentric model of the universe. In addition to that there was increase in religious tolerance, such as with the Dutch