Henry VIII Poster

The family of Henry VIII, including Jane Seymour and Prince Edward. Henry VIII, born on June 28, 1491, was the second Tudor monarch of England and one of its most influential rulers. He ascended to the throne in 1509 after the death of his father, Henry VII. Early in his reign, Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon, his brother Arthur's widow, in a union that would later be at the center of significant historical events. Catherine, however, failed to produce a male heir, and Henry sought an annulment from the Catholic Church, leading to the English Reformation. The most notable consequence of Henry's quest for an annulment was the break with the Catholic Church. Unable to obtain papal approval, Henry VIII established the Church of England in 1534, with himself as its head, leading to the dissolution of monasteries and religious institutions. Henry's six marriages played a pivotal role in the political and religious landscape of England. His desire for a male heir led to divorces, annulments, and the execution of two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. His marriage to Anne Boleyn produced Elizabeth I, one of England's most iconic monarchs. Henry VIII's reign was marked by both cultural and political achievements, such as the Act of Union with Wales in 1536 and the expansion of royal power. He died on January 28, 1547, leaving a lasting impact on the course of English history.