5.2.4

The Reformation in England

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Henry VIII and the Reformation

Whilst Luther’s ideas were spreading across Europe, King Henry VIII was having troubles with the Catholic Church. Henry VIII ended up breaking away from Rome (the heart of the Catholic Church) and made himself head of the Church of England.

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Henry VIII’s marriage

  • Henry VIII was married to Catherine of Aragon.
  • Catherine of Aragon was the widow of Henry VIII’s brother, Arthur.
  • Henry VIII and his wife had a daughter, called Mary, but no son.
  • Henry VIII wanted to produce a male heir to continue the Tudor dynasty.
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Henry VIII wanting a divorce

  • Henry VIII wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.
  • However, the Pope refused to grant Henry VIII’s divorce.
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Breaking from Rome

  • Henry VIII decided to marry Anne Boleyn in secret.
  • Henry VIII and his advisor, Thomas Cromwell, decided that the Church of England should break away from Rome.
  • Henry VIII declared himself head of the Church of England.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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