Henry Viii
...and claimant to the Kingdom of France, from 21 April 1509 until his death. Henry was the second monarch of the House of Tudor, succeeding his father, Henry VII.
Henry VIII was a significant figure in the history of the English monarchy. Although in the great part of his reign he brutally suppressed the Protestant reformation of the church,[1] a movement having roots with the martyr John Wycliffe of the 14th century, he is more popularly known for his political struggles with Rome. These struggles ultimately led to him separating the Anglican church from the Roman hierarchy, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Although some claim he became a Protestant on his death-bed, he advocated catholic ceremony and doctrine throughout his life. Royal backing of the English Reformation was left to his heirs, the devout Edward VI and the renowned Elizabeth I, whilst daughter Mary I temporarily reinstated papal authority over England. Henry also oversaw the legal union of England and Wales (see Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542). He is noted for his six marriages.[nb 1]
Contents [hide]
• 1 Early years (1491-1509)
• 1.1 Death of Arthur
• 2 France and the Hapsburgs (1509-1525)
• 2.1 Mistresses
• 3 "Great matter" (1525-1533)
• 3.1 Second marriage
• 4 English Reformation (1533-1540)
• 4.1 Personal troubles
• 4.2 Execution of Anne Boleyn
• 4.3 Birth of a prince
• 4.4 Martyrdom of William Tyndale
• 5 Final years (1540-1547)
• 5.1 Death and succession
• 6 The children of Henry VIII
• 7 Legacy
• 7.1 Royal Finances
• 7.2 Church of England
• 7.3 English navy
• 8 Style and arms
• 9 Ancestry
• 10 Marriages and issue
• 11 Film and television
• 12 See also
• 13 References
• 14 Explanatory notes
• 15 Sources
• 16 Further reading
• 17 External links
Early years...
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