Who Was Henry VIII?

Henry VIII was a king of England who ruled from 1509 to 1547. He is one of the most famous kings in English history! Born on June 28, 1491, he became king at the age of 17 after his brother Arthur passed away. Henry is well-known for having six wives and for making big changes to the church in England.

His Six Wives

Henry VIII is famous for marrying six women over the course of his life. Each marriage ended in different ways:

1. Catherine of Aragon - Henry's first wife, they had a daughter named Mary. The marriage ended because Henry wanted a son.
2. Anne Boleyn - Henry fell in love with her and they had a daughter named Elizabeth. Anne was executed because she was accused of treason.
3. Jane Seymour - She gave birth to Henry's only son, Edward, but sadly, she died shortly after childbirth.
4. Annie of Cleves - Their marriage was short-lived as Henry did not find her attractive, so they divorced.
5. Catherine Howard - She was young and was executed for being unfaithful to Henry.
6. Catherine Parr - She outlived Henry and was his last wife.

Changes to the Church

One of the biggest things Henry VIII is known for is breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church. He wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, but the Pope refused to allow it. So, Henry started the Church of England, which meant he could control the church in England and get his divorce. This was a very important event in history called the English Reformation.

Henry's Legacy

Henry VIII left a significant mark on England. His actions had a lasting impact on religion, politics, and society. After his death in 1547, his son Edward VI became king, followed by his daughters Mary I and Elizabeth I, who also had a significant influence on England.

In summary, Henry VIII was not only a king with an interesting personal life but also someone who changed the course of English history through his marriages and religious reforms!