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King Henry Viii Influence

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Before King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon became annulled, there were rumors of a Protestant Reformation in Europe. During 1517, a German professor named Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses against the doors of the Castle Church of Wittenberg about how he didn’t agree with Catholic beliefs and starting a Protestant Reformation. With Henry VIII being a strong Catholic believer, he was outraged. Later that year, Henry started writing a book attacking Luther’s ideas, “Henry was indignant at Luther’s arguments, but sensed, also, his own chance to assert that loyalty to the Pope...” (Bowle 88). It was paramount that King Henry VIII looked like a strong, faithful Catholic leader in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church that …show more content…

The book was called The Defence of the Seven Sacraments and became published throughout Europe in 1522. The book became one of the most influential pieces of Catholic writing throughout the Renaissance which was important to Henry and England because the book made them look like strong and powerful Catholics. Although Henry was a devout Catholic ruler, when on the verge of being bankrupt due to his personal extravagance as well as his numerous costly continental wars, he came up with a plan. “He would close England’s Catholic monasteries and seize their wealth. It was the perfect plan. Henry would solve his financial problems and attack the Catholic Church all in one blow” (Stewart 92). This plan both helped and hindered all of England because England’s Catholic monasteries were taken away, but at the same time a new Church of England was created, where the Catholic religion was still practiced. Although Henry VIII was still Catholic, he had closed the Catholic monasteries to make the Pope upset. Many Catholics became angry however, Henry was not trying to take away Catholicism, but rather than adjust it to the Church of England rather than the Roman Catholic …show more content…

There had always been tension between the two religions, but after rumors of a Protestant Reformation, uncertainty was among all English citizens. Anne Boleyn became the new English Queen, but still could not produce any male heirs. Although Anne was Catholic, “Religious reformers and protestants sensed that Anne was on their side” (Stewart 70). This did not help Anne or Henry’s case, because rumors of a Protestant Queen on a Catholic throne of England could have ruined Henry VIII’s ties with other Catholic countries. Anne did not do much as queen besides giving birth to Elizabeth I, who later on in history would become very important for England’s history. However, she would always want to try and include herself in things she did not belong (Weir 145). Henry was always very controlling and never let his wives partake in business because Kings were considered superior to Queens. Henry VIII’s job was to maintain peace and rule throughout England, and Anne’s job was to give birth to male heirs to succeed Henry. Again habits continued, and Henry grew tired of Anne, and even finding her annoying. With no healthy male heirs, she became useless, and after three years of marriage, Henry executed her for treason and adultery. “In many ways, Anne was her own worst enemy: she

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