Skip to main content

June 28, 1491 - Henry VIII

Henry VIII reshaped English religious and political life through a combination of personal will and institutional force, breaking from Rome not on doctrinal grounds but to secure a marriage annulment — then building an entire church structure around the crown's supremacy. The dissolution of the monasteries, the execution of ministers and nobles who fell from favor, and the fates of two of his six wives reflect how thoroughly he wielded the new powers he had consolidated. His reign is a study in how personal authority, when structurally unchecked, can redirect the course of a nation.

From Wikipedia

Henry VIII

Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. At the same time, he was Lord of Ireland until 18 June 1542, after which he was also King of Ireland.

Henry was born in Greenwich as the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. His elder brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales, was heir apparent and married Catherine of Aragon, a Spanish princess. Arthur died in 1502, and Henry was created Prince of Wales in 1504 and acceded to the throne upon his father's death in 1509, marrying Catherine with a papal dispensation. He was described as an attractive, educated, and accomplished king during the early years of his reign.

Henry grew dissatisfied with the marriage to Catherine, appealing to Pope Clement VII for an annulment. Clement refused, and Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer declared the marriage void in the eyes of the Church of England in 1533.

Further reading

As an Amazon Associate, Evil Birthdays earns from qualifying purchases.

⚠ Report a problem with this article

  • Last updated on .