Henry Viii and the English Reformation

Catherine's quick rise and fall from favor shows just how unstable Henry had really become in his final years. How he had no problem in executing anyone who betrayed him, even his 18-year-old wife. Catherine also represents the Howards final attempt to gain control and power in England by placing another Howard girl on the throne. During his reign Henry was known to keep favorites and handsomely reward those who pleased him. For this reason, early on the noble families of England vied for

The reformation was a drastic event in the early modern period that launched Europe into a massive conflict of widespread violence, through both political and religious factors. The political scene had remained very much the same before the beginning of the reformation in 1517, with many philosophers sharing similar ideas on how to handle the issues of sovereignty and private property. Religion was a long debated factor before the reformation however was brought inadvertently to the forefront of most political works in the early years of the Protestant Reformation. This event completely changed the way in which philosophers constructed their political discourse as seen with More and Martin Luther, who although despite being placed on

Reformation is the religious revolution that took place in Western Europe in the 16th century. It arose from objections to doctrines and practices in the medieval church, loss of papal authority and credibility as well as other societal, political and economical issues of the time. This revolution had a major impact on Europe and it gave way to short term and long-term consequences, which still can be seen today.

As a youth, Henry gained many allies due to his boundless charm, but as he grew older, he began to transform into a bitter and suspicious man who arrested and executed others for no valid reason. Many of his marriages were political advantages, as some of his wives had strong political ties to other countries and therefore created strong ties between those nations. In Louis's case, he tended to make more enemies than allies. The English and Dutch wanted him dead and gone for one reason or another. Many people worked in businesses or were artisans, so when they were driven out of France due to persecution, France lost a vital part of its industry. Very few people supported Louis and his own people spat at

Overall, it is evident that Henry's financial policy enabled him to gain some control over his Nobility although it was in fact his attitude towards War and conflict that meant he could have complete control over his Noblemen. Magnates would have a lot of support if they were to rise up against the King during a War and that would put Henry's throne in grave danger although his decision not to engage in foreign affairs meant that it didn't give his Nobility a chance to try and overthrow him. Christine Carpenter highlights this as she says Henry's financial treatment of his Gentry meant that they were very close to uprising as it caused so much frustration and tension. This shows that the King never really had complete control over them due to his financial

He then failed to re-marry and achieve stronger diplomatic relations outside of England following the death of Elizabeth creating a weak government in England. Also the death of Isabella of Castile was another problem for Henry as he would have Ferdinand as his rival instead of an ally over territorial gains in Europe and in the New World. The later years of Henrys foreign policy were definitely his most challenging and difficult period of foreign affairs allowing the government to be weak and therefore vulnerable to a crisis.

King Henry VIII, the second son of King Henry VII, was born at Greenwich, England in 1491. He succeeded the throne upon the death of his brother King Arthur in 1509. He married six wives in the hopes of getting a son as he could be the heir to the throne and become the next king of England. His first two wives failed to do so, but his third wife Jane Seymour, had given birth to a son and he was later named Edward VI. He then married three more wives, and his last wife Catherine of Parr, outlived King Henry who died in 1548. King Henry VIII was an tremendously important leader as he had greatly impacted the Renaissance by starting the English Reformation, the union between England and Wales, and he patronized the arts and literature.

Wolsey served as the king’s principle minster from 1515 to 1529, till his failure in securing the divorce for Henry VIII resulted in his fall from power. Though Wolsey has been criticised due to suggestions of limited usefulness he provided to Henry, Wolsey provided clear dedication to the crown. These three extracts provide convincing insights into the interpretations of the effectiveness of Wolsey as the king’s principal minister. Extract A can provide a convincing insight into the actions Wolsey took as the King’s principal minister, in relation to the responsibility he held. C.S.L Davies evaluates that Wolsey did little to change the manner of maintaining the justice and peace of the country, and was not greatly effective as the King’s

As the years passed on, Henry faced many more difficulties and pressures in his own personal and political life. Wolsey nevertheless remained a constant entity throughout these landmarks and throughout the English court. It soon became apparent that Wolsey was involved in everything surrounding the king. Henry ultimately finalising a policy/decision, however this was never without the council and trust in Wolsey to carry it out. Due to Wolsey’s close relationship with the King and his high position, he earned himself a colossal amount of enemies throughout the court. They resented his growing wealth and closeness to the king. Over his years of service to Henry, Wolsey amassed a vast fortune in the years from 1515 to 1529. Though, he essentially amassed this through his work in dissolving the monasteries, funding his own personal ventures. Wolsey’s wealth allowed him to live a lifestyle which was in every

Cramner appealed to Parliament to confirm that Henry’s marriage to Catherine was invalid. Henry secretly marries a lady in his court, Anne Boleyn, in 1533. He decides to officially break with the Catholic church the following year and makes himself the head of the Church of England. He appoints Cramner as his new Archbishop and Cramner publicly declares the marriage between King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon as invalid.

As king of England, Henry has the power and the unquestionable authority to act based off his own desires even if they are not legally or morally acceptable. Because his current wife, Catherine, who was also his brother’s widow, has failed to birth a son, he wishes to divorce her and take Queen Anne as his new wife. Without a male heir to the throne, Henry’s lineage will come to an end and England will be left without a successor. He admits this to More during their meeting in Act 1, saying,

Henry VIII was having trouble conceiving a male child with his current wife: Katharine of Aragon. Henry wanted the current pope to give him an annulment so Henry could marry Anne Boleyn. Wolsey was unsuccessful in his attempts due to interference from Katharine. This led Henry to lose trust in Wolsey and led to his eventual fall from grace and death in 1529. Cromwell was able to distance himself enough from Wolsey that when he fell, he did not take Cromwell with him. This left Cromwell in the perfect position to fill the space that Wolsey left empty. Through a series of events, the king enlisted Cromwell to use his legal skills to convince parliament to create laws that undermine the authority of the pope, allowing Henry to divorce Katharine without the pope’s permission. Henry VIII was wildly impressed by Cromwell success, Cromwell was granted the title “Master of Jewels” and invited to the English court. This complicated situation is largely responsible for Cromwell’s initial rise to power. (MacCulloch, Borman

King Henry VIII was one of the most powerful rulers in the fifteenth century, who had a very captivating life many people are not aware of. Most people know Henry VIII as a berserk king with too many wives, but there is more to Henry VIII than that. Many few people know about his life and what he truly contributed to our world. Henry VIII was an almighty leader in England who won’t soon be forgotten.

Starting with a little bit about Catherine she came from a noble family in Florence Italy. Her parents were Lorenzo and Madeleine. Both of her parents died right after her birth, leaving her with all the

How did events during Henry VIII’s reign cause for a permanent shift in the religious system of England?