The Lion of England
Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was the second Tudor monarch, succeeding his father, Henry VII. Henry VIII was a man of immense power, insatiable appetite, and profound influence, shaping the course of English history in ways that are still felt today. His reign was marked by dramatic political and religious upheaval, most notably the English Reformation.
A Transformative Reign
Initially a popular and charismatic figure, Henry was a Renaissance prince, well-educated, athletic, and an accomplished musician. However, his desire for a male heir and his tumultuous personal life would lead to unprecedented changes. His relentless pursuit of annulment from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, triggered the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England, with the monarch as its Supreme Head. This act fundamentally altered the religious and political landscape of England.
Key Milestones
1509
Ascends the throne upon his father's death.
1513
Victories at the Battle of the Spurs and the Battle of Flodden.
1527
Begins seeking an annulment from Catherine of Aragon.
1534
The Act of Supremacy declares Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
1536-1541
Dissolution of the Monasteries.
1547
Death after a reign of 38 years.
The Six Wives
Henry VIII is perhaps most famously remembered for his six marriages, a direct consequence of his desperate need for a male heir and his shifting political alliances and personal desires. Each marriage had significant implications for English politics and society:
Catherine of Aragon
Divorced
Anne Boleyn
Beheaded
Jane Seymour
Died
Anne of Cleves
Divorced
Catherine Howard
Beheaded
Survived
Legacy
Henry VIII's legacy is complex and far-reaching. He left England a sovereign nation, free from papal authority, with a newly established Church. His reign solidified the power of the monarchy, though at a considerable human cost. The cultural and religious transformations initiated by Henry paved the way for the Golden Age of his daughter, Elizabeth I.