Henry VIII and the Divorce

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Henry became King in 1509. This was also the year he married his first wife – Catherine of Aragon. She had been married to Henry’s brother (Arthur), but he died in a terrible accident.

Henry got special permission from the Pope to marry Catherine. At the time, it was seen as wrong to marry your brother’s widow. However, with the Pope’s permission there was no problem.

Henry was a very proud man. In the first few years of his reign, he enjoyed himself as King – he hunted, loved large banquets and was good at all sports. There was one thing he wanted though; A son

Henry wanted a son, a male heir to rule after him. Henry wanted his ‘Tudor’ surname to live on. In the 1500s, attitudes to girls and women were very different – Henry wanted to leave a son in charge of his kingdom, not a daughter.

Unfortunately, Henry and Catherine only had one child that lived – a baby daughter. Henry was worried – he was desperate for a son. Some historians think that Henry thought he was

 He thought God was punishing him for marrying his brother’s widow.

Henry began having an affair with Anne Boleyn, and soon she was pregnant. This was a dilemma for Henry. With Anne, he now had a chance to have the son he so desperately wanted. However, for this baby to be his proper heir, he had to be married to Anne.

Henry was annoyed that he had to do what the Pope said. He was King of England, so why did he have to listen? The Protestants told Henry that he didn’t have to – exactly what Henry wanted to hear. Henry made himself head of the Church in 1534,and got a divorce. Anne had their baby………….A girl

Facts PDF Worksheet:

    • Aimed at Students studying at UK Year 8/9 or equivalent
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    • Use as you wish in the classroom or home environment
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