Henry VIII and the Reformation in England Politics and Dynastic Concerns

Henry VIII Henry VIII was king of England from 1509 until Henry VIII was king of England from 1509 until He actually had an older brother, named Arthur, who died when he was young. He actually had an older brother, named Arthur, who died when he was young. He was born in 1491, and was only 17 years and 10 months old when he became king. He was born in 1491, and was only 17 years and 10 months old when he became king. Henry composed music, which we can listen to at Henry composed music, which we can listen to at Henry VIII

A description of Henry, by an Italian called Giustinian His majesty is twenty-nine years old, and extremely handsome. Nature could not have done more for him. He is much handsomer than any other sovereign in Christendom; a great deal handsomer then the King of France; very fair, and his whole frame admirably proportioned. On hearing that Francis I (the King of France) wore a beard, he allowed his own to grow; and as it is reddish, he has now got a beard that looks like gold. He is very accomplished; a good musician; composes well; is a most capital horseman; a fine jouster; speaks good French, Latin and Spanish; is very religious; hears three masses daily when he hunts, and sometimes five on other days. He is very fond of hunting, and never takes his diversion without tiring 8 or 10 horses. He is extremely fond of tennis, at which game it is the prettiest thing in the world to see him play, his fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest texture.

Look again at this picture of Henry. How would you describe him now? Is he still young and handsome? How old do you think he is? Describe the expression on his face. How can you tell he is an important person? What sort of clothes is he wearing? What is Henry trying to tell us about himself in this portrait? Do you think that Henry really looked like this?

Marriage to Catherine of Aragon In 1509, Henry VIII had married Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain In 1509, Henry VIII had married Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain By 1527, the union had produced no male heir to the throne and only one surviving child, a daughter, Mary. By 1527, the union had produced no male heir to the throne and only one surviving child, a daughter, Mary. Henry was justifiably concerned about the political consequences of leaving only a female heir. Henry was justifiably concerned about the political consequences of leaving only a female heir. England had not had a woman ruler since Roman times. England had not had a woman ruler since Roman times.

Dispensation from Pope Julius II Henry even came to believe that his union with Catherine, who had many miscarriages and stillbirths, had been cursed by God, because Catherine had first been the wife of his brother, Arthur. Henry even came to believe that his union with Catherine, who had many miscarriages and stillbirths, had been cursed by God, because Catherine had first been the wife of his brother, Arthur. Henry’s father, Henry VII, had betrothed Catherine to Henry after Arthur’s untimely death in order to keep the English alliance with Spain intact. Henry’s father, Henry VII, had betrothed Catherine to Henry after Arthur’s untimely death in order to keep the English alliance with Spain intact. They were officially married in a few days before Henry VIII received his crown. Henry was 17, Catherine was 24. They were officially married in a few days before Henry VIII received his crown. Henry was 17, Catherine was 24.

The King’s Affair By 1527, Henry really liked Anne Bolyn, one of Catherine’s ladies in waiting. By 1527, Henry really liked Anne Bolyn, one of Catherine’s ladies in waiting. He determined to put Catherine aside and take Anne as his wife. He determined to put Catherine aside and take Anne as his wife. This he could not do in Catholic England, however, without papal annulment of the marriage to Catherine. This he could not do in Catholic England, however, without papal annulment of the marriage to Catherine.

The Reformation Parliament Archbishop Thomas Wolsey asked the pope for a divorce of Catherine. The Pope simply says “no” Archbishop Thomas Wolsey asked the pope for a divorce of Catherine. The Pope simply says “no” Henry and his advisors in Parliament conceived of a plan to declare the king the supreme ruler of the Church of England Henry and his advisors in Parliament conceived of a plan to declare the king the supreme ruler of the Church of England In 1529, Parliament convened for what would be a seven-year session that earned it the title the “Reformation Parliament.” In 1529, Parliament convened for what would be a seven-year session that earned it the title the “Reformation Parliament.”

Head of the Church of England (Anglican Church) In January 1531, the Convocation (a legislative assembly representing the English clergy) publicly recognized Henry as Head of the Church in England In January 1531, the Convocation (a legislative assembly representing the English clergy) publicly recognized Henry as Head of the Church in England

Submission of the Clergy In 1532, Parliament passed the Submission of the Clergy, which effectively placed church officials under royal control. In 1532, Parliament passed the Submission of the Clergy, which effectively placed church officials under royal control.

Marriage to Anne Boleyn In January 1533, Henry wed the pregnant Anne Boleyn, with bishop Thomas Cranmer officiating. In January 1533, Henry wed the pregnant Anne Boleyn, with bishop Thomas Cranmer officiating.

Invalidation of First Marriage In March Cranmer became archbishop of Canterbury and led the Convocation in invalidating the King’s marriage to Catherine. In March Cranmer became archbishop of Canterbury and led the Convocation in invalidating the King’s marriage to Catherine.

Ended Payments to Rome/Church Appointments In Parliament ended all payments by the English clergy and laity to Rome and gave Henry sole jurisdiction over high ecclesiastical appointments. In Parliament ended all payments by the English clergy and laity to Rome and gave Henry sole jurisdiction over high ecclesiastical appointments.

Acts of Succession & Supremacy The Act of Succession in the same year made Anne Boleyn’s children legitimate heirs to the throne and the Act of Supremacy declared Henry “the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England. The Act of Succession in the same year made Anne Boleyn’s children legitimate heirs to the throne and the Act of Supremacy declared Henry “the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England. When Thomas More and John fisher, Bishop of Rochester, refused to recognize the Act of Succession and the Act of Supremacy, Henry had them executed, making clear his determination to have his way regardless of the cost. When Thomas More and John fisher, Bishop of Rochester, refused to recognize the Act of Succession and the Act of Supremacy, Henry had them executed, making clear his determination to have his way regardless of the cost.

Dissolution of the Monasteries In Parliament dissolved England’s monasteries and convents. In Parliament dissolved England’s monasteries and convents.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII To satisfy his desires and to secure a male heir, Henry married six times: To satisfy his desires and to secure a male heir, Henry married six times: His marriage to CATHERINE OF ARAGON was annulled His marriage to CATHERINE OF ARAGON was annulled In 1536, ANNE BOLEYN was executed for alleged treason and adultery and her daughter Elizabeth was declared illegitimate. In 1536, ANNE BOLEYN was executed for alleged treason and adultery and her daughter Elizabeth was declared illegitimate.

Wife Number 3 Jane Seymour After getting rid of Anne, Henry married Jane Seymour in After getting rid of Anne, Henry married Jane Seymour in Jane finally gave Henry the son he so wanted – Edward. Jane finally gave Henry the son he so wanted – Edward. Unfortunately, Edward died when he was just 16. Unfortunately, Edward died when he was just 16. Jane died after giving birth to Edward. Jane died after giving birth to Edward. Jane Seymour Edward

Wife Number 4 Anne of Cleves After Jane died, Henry sent a painter, Holbein, to Germany in 1540 to paint a picture of Anne of Cleves. After Jane died, Henry sent a painter, Holbein, to Germany in 1540 to paint a picture of Anne of Cleves. He thought she looked very pretty, but when he saw her he hated her! He thought she looked very pretty, but when he saw her he hated her! He thought she was very ugly, and called her the “Flanders Mare”. He thought she was very ugly, and called her the “Flanders Mare”. They had no children. They had no children. Henry divorced Anne. Henry divorced Anne. Anne of Cleves

Wife Number 5 Catherine Howard Next came Catherine Howard. Next came Catherine Howard. She married Henry in She married Henry in They had no children, mainly because she didn’t like Henry and had lots of other boyfriends! They had no children, mainly because she didn’t like Henry and had lots of other boyfriends! Henry wasn’t very happy about this, and she was beheaded in Henry wasn’t very happy about this, and she was beheaded in Catherine Howard

Wife Number 6 Catherine Parr Henry married his final wife in Henry married his final wife in She is supposed to have been very nice and kind, and Henry seems to have been quite happy with her. She is supposed to have been very nice and kind, and Henry seems to have been quite happy with her. They had no children, but stayed married. They had no children, but stayed married. Catherine Parr outlived Henry – he died in 1547, while she lived until Catherine Parr outlived Henry – he died in 1547, while she lived until Catherine Parr

Henry VIII’s CHildren 1510 Daughter - died 1511 Son - died 1513 Son - died 1514 Son - died 1516 Mary - survived 1518 Daughter - died 1533 Elizabeth - survived 1534 Son - died 1535 unknown - died 1536 Son - died 1537 Edward - survived