Henry VIII.

Henry VIII, the son of Henry VII, was born in 1491. He has an outstanding position among English monarchs. He is maybe the most famous English king, reigning in the years 1509 - 1547.

As a young boy he was strong, generous, talented and skilled in artistic activities - he could play some musical instruments and he wrote some great poems.
He realized the changes taking place in Europe and he wanted to be a powerful monarch to achieve his goals.


The most well known fact about Henry VII is that he had six wives. His first wife, Catharine of Aragon, was the widow of Henry’s elder brother Arthur. She failed to bear him a son a male heir and Henry VII convinced himself that this must be because the marriage was invalid in the eyes of God.


An annulment could only come from the Pope - but the Pope was under the influence of Catherine’s nephew, the king of Spain. His request for the annulment of his marriage led to a conflict with Rome, which resulted in the establishment of the Church of England, which was independent from the Roman Catholic Church. Henry VII became the head of the new established church and the owner of all its property. Henry prepared the way for renewed religious, social and economic activities. He encouraged learning and allowed the Bible to be printed in English. During his reign England became richer and more powerful.


After Catherine of Aragon, Henry VII married Ann Boleyn, who was later found guilty of adultery and she was executed. His third wife, Jane Seymour, died while giving birth. Henry divorced his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Catherine Howard, his fifth wife was executed and his sixth wife, Catharine Parr, outlived him.