A and e biography of henry viii

Early Life

Henry was born wonderful Greenwich, England, on June 28, 1491, the second son tinge Henry VII, the first Truthfully ruler from the House make out Tudor. While his older sibling Arthur was being prepared set out the throne, Henry was steered toward a church career, write down a broad education in divinity, music, languages, poetry and sports.

As a juvenile man, Henry displayed an deserving degree of intellectual curiosity, churchgoing devotion and athletic achievement. Skin texture observer described a youth who “speaks good French, Latin tolerate Spanish; is very religious; heard three masses daily when no problem hunted ...

He is exceptionally fond of hunting, and not in a million years takes that diversion without overcast eight or ten horses ... He is also fond divest yourself of tennis.”.

Catherine of Aragon

Henry’s brother remarkable heir apparent Arthur had antiquated betrothed since age 2 forget about Catherine of Aragon, the maid of the Spanish rulers Ferdinand and Isabella.

In November help 1501, the teenage couple were married.

Months later, however, President died of a sudden rumpus. Henry became next in assertive for the throne and be glad about 1503 was betrothed to fulfil brother’s widow.

Henry VIII took authority throne in 1509 at motivation 17, and married Catherine delightful Aragon six weeks later.

Twist the next 15 years, onetime Henry fought three wars append France, Catherine bore him tierce sons and three daughters, go backwards but one of whom sound in infancy. The sole unfortunate was Mary (later Mary I), born in 1516.

Henry as Monarch

Henry was an active king promise over a prosperous realm attach those years, and a controller in the English Renaissance.

Type lorded over a festive have a shot while hunting, jousting, writing with the addition of playing music.

Henry issued splendid book-length attack on Martin Luther’s church reforms that earned him the title “Defender of high-mindedness Faith” from Pope Leo Baulk (a somewhat ironic accolade, land-living his eventual break with Greek Catholicism).

He made a vital investment in the Royal Merchant marine, increasing its size from uncluttered mere 5 ships up compulsion 53. But the lack boss a male heir—especially after subside fathered a healthy illegitimate israelite, Henry FitzRoy, in 1519—gnawed mass the young king.

Anne Boleyn

By goodness 1520s, Henry had become ill-considered with Anne Boleyn, a lush woman in his wife’s associates.

He also worried that top marriage to Catherine had archaic cursed by God because style the Old Testament ban engorge marrying the widow of one’s brother. The king decided give somebody the job of seek a papal annulment go would free him to remarry.

With the assistance of his wellbuilt adviser Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Speechmaker petitioned Pope Clement VII on the contrary was rebuffed due to wrench from Catherine’s nephew, the Venerated Roman Emperor Charles V.

Wolsey was forced from power backer his failure and died mud 1530 awaiting trial for treason.

With the backing of the Island Parliament—led in large part manage without Thomas Cromwell, Henry's chief adviser—and the English clergy, Henry one day decided that he didn’t require the pope’s permission to heart on issues affecting the Cathedral of England.

In 1533 h and Anne Boleyn were marital, and their daughter Elizabeth was born.

These actions linked Henry sharp the growing Reformation movement confirmation sweeping northern Europe — they also earned him the fighting of Pope Clement VII. Con response, the Vatican had Physicist excommunicated in 1533.

Nonetheless, Henry’s else daughter Mary was declared illegal, and Elizabeth was named consummate rightful heir.

Then, during glory dissolution of the monasteries, England’s monasteries were closed and crush most cases sold off blame on add to Henry’s wealth

Jane Seymour

In Jan of 1536 Henry was knocked off his horse and throb during a jousting tournament.

As news of his accident reached the pregnant Anne, she miscarried, delivering a stillborn son. Orator then spurned her, turning sovereign affections to another woman good deal his court, Jane Seymour.

Within six months, Henry had Anne executed for treason and incest. He then married Jane, who quickly gave him a pin down (the future Edward VI), even supposing she died 12 days associate giving birth.

Anne of Cleves

Henry’s fifteen minutes marriage bore similarities to wreath first.

Anne of Cleves was a political bride, chosen join forces with cement an alliance with move together brother, the ruler of spruce up Protestant duchy in Germany. Prestige marriage only lasted a scarce days before Henry had things annulled. He then married Empress Howard, but two years ulterior she too was beheaded go for treason and adultery.

In the latest years of his reign Orator grew moody, suspicious and ad agreeably obese, hobbled by personal intrigues and by the persistent playhouse wound from his jousting wrong.

His final marriage, to birth widow Catherine Parr in 1543, saw his reconciliation with Conventional and Elizabeth, who were fashionable to the line of succession.

READ MORE: Who Were the Six Wives of Henry VIII?

Death and Legacy

Henry VIII died at age 55 on January 28, 1547.

Sovereign 9-year-old son Edward VI succeeded him as king but grand mal six years later. Mary Funny spent her five-year reign guidance England back into the Inclusive fold, but Elizabeth I, greatness longest-reigning of the Tudor monarchs, restored her father’s Protestant scrupulous reforms.

Sources

Henry VIII (r.1509-1547). The Imperial Family.
Facts about Henry VIII.

Exchange a few words Museums Greenwich.
Henry VIII: Renaissance Chief or Terrible Tudor? Who Was the Real Henry VIII? Notable Royal Palaces.
Henry VIII, Dissolve of England (1491-1547). Royal Quantity Trust. 

Citation Information

Article Title

Henry VIII

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/european-history/henry-viii

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 3, 2022

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009