King Henry VIII Breaks from the Roman Catholic Church

History 521

The Protestant Reformation Part V

King Henry VIII breaks from the Roman Catholic Church

Henry puts pressure on Pope Clement VII. Henry stopped annual English payments (annates) to the Catholic Church hoping this would force the Pope to grant Henry a divorce.

The Pope was in a very difficult position. Emperor Charles V of Spain had captured Rome and Pope VII was his prisoner. Charles was the nephew of Catherine of Aragon.

What options were available to Pope Clement? Discuss the consequences with your partner.

Options / Consequences
Refuse to grant Henry a divorce.
Grant Henry a divorce.
Stall for more time and make no decision.

What options were available to King Henry VIII? Discuss the consequences with your partner.

Options / Consequences
Stay married to Catherine of Aragon.
Disobey the Pope and get a divorce.
Keep waiting, hoping the Pope will change his mind.

Read the following statements and put them in chronological order.

Statement / Order
Some people in England and Europe were starting to become unhappy with the Catholic Church and wanted it to change.
Henry VIII believed that he needed a son to make sure that the Tudor dynasty survived.
Henry’s wife Catherine of Aragon had had a number of miscarriages and it was clear that she was becoming too old to have another child.
Henry had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn and needed the Pope to grant him a divorce from Catherine so that he could marry Anne.
Henry wanted to control the Church to make himself more powerful.
Henry needed money to become more powerful in Europe. The Church had lots of money
The Pope would not give Henry a divorce
From Catherine.
Catherine’s nephew, the Emperor Charles V, captured Rome and put pressure on the Pope not to let Henry divorce Catherine.
Henry wanted a son to prevent a civil war breaking out in England after his death.
Anne Boleyn and her family and supporters were interested in changing the Catholic Church.
Henry believed that he had broken God’s law by marrying Catherine of Aragon, his brother’s widow.

In 1534 the Act of Supremacy was passed by the British Parliament. This law established the Church of England and made the King (not the Pope) the head of the Church.

Which factor do you consider the most important in King Henry’s decision to break with the Roman Catholic Church? Explain your response:

______