Henry VIII and the Anglican Church (early 1500s)
Quick Bio:
-One of "The Tudors" - an English dynasty
-Smart; interested in art, music, culture
-Had an older brother, Arthur, who should have been king
-Married his brother's widow
-Became king at 17
-Began as a fair king, later ruled with absolute power
-Married 6 times (beheaded 2 wives)
-Founded the Anglican church, or Church of England
Henry VIII and the Catholic Church:
-Defended Catholic Church against Martin Luther's attacks
-Named "Defender of the Faith" by Pope Leo X
-Consulted Cardinal Thomas Wolsey regularly as king
-Lord Chancellor
(Top Advisor to King)
-Wanted to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon
-Needed the Pope to get an "annulment"
-Asked Woolsey to get him one, but Woolsey couldn't
-Asked Pope for one, but Pope refused
What is Henry VIII to do!?
-Found an Archbishop to declare his first marriage illegal
-Could now marry Anne Boleyn
-Turned to his political/governmental power
-Went to Parliament
-"Act of Supremacy"
-The King of England is the only head of the Church of England
What happened next!?
-Pope excommunicated Henry VIII
-Catholic Church + Monasteries lost land and power
-Anne Boleyn bore Henry a daughter; Henry executed Anne
-Henry married Jane Seymour, who gave birth to Henry's only son (at last!)