Not the Original Heir

Henry VIII became King of England after the death of his elder brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales

Marriage to Catherine of Aragon

Maintaining the Alliance with Spain

Henry VIII married his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon, to maintain the alliance between England and Spain

Papal Dispensation

The marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon was granted a papal dispensation due to their familial relationship

Desperation for a Male Heir

Henry VIII's concern for securing a male heir was heightened by the dynastic struggles of the Wars of the Roses

Henry's Infatuation with Anne Boleyn

Henry VIII's infatuation with Anne Boleyn fueled his determination to seek an annulment from Catherine of Aragon

Biblical Interpretation for Annulment

Henry VIII argued for an annulment based on a biblical interpretation that marrying a brother's widow was forbidden and would not produce offspring

Protracted and Frustrating Process

Henry VIII encountered a protracted and frustrating process in seeking an annulment from the Pope

Defiance of the Catholic Church

Henry VIII began living with Anne Boleyn and married her without the Pope's consent, leading to the English Parliament passing the Act of Supremacy

Act of Supremacy

The Act of Supremacy proclaimed Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, breaking from the Catholic Church

Oath of Succession

The Oath of Succession required recognition of Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn and their progeny as the legitimate succession to the throne

English Reformation and Departure from Catholic Orthodoxy

The creation of the Church of England marked the beginning of the English Reformation and a departure from Catholic orthodoxy

Religious Turmoil

Doctrinal ambiguities led to periods of religious turmoil during the reigns of Henry VIII's successors

Religious Settlement under Elizabeth I

A more stable religious settlement was achieved under Elizabeth I, establishing a compromise between Protestant and Catholic practices