While historians have debated about Henry VIII’s controversial decision to split England from the Catholic Church, the opinion that Henry was not the one to instigate the process is a rather unknown fact. Anne Boleyn, as a young and healthy girl, planted the ideas for divorce in Henry’s head for a promise of a male heir. When the Catholic Church refused Henry his annulment, Thomas Cromwell suggested a complete break from the Catholic Faith. Nevertheless, while others suggested his major acts as king, Henry proved to have several debilitating illnesses and mental diseases during his reign. Henry VIII allegedly suffered from dozens of health problems during his life. From second son syndrome to a god complex, Henry’s life began and ended in
…show more content…
He was born the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. His mother and grandmother coddled him as he prepared for a life in the clergy, as many royal second sons did. When his elder brother Arthur died, Henry married his widow Catherine of Aragorn and assumed the throne in 1509 at the age of eighteen. He went through many shifts of allegiance between France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. When Catherine suffered from no less than six miscarriages during the length of their marriage, Henry decided to annul their marriage on grounds that marrying his brother’s wife was a sin. The pope refused to annul the marriage and Henry arrested Cardinal Thomas Wolsey for his failure in arranging the annulment. He converted the entire country of England to Protestantism, broke all ties to Rome, and married his lover, Anne Boleyn. When Anne Boleyn only produced a girl and several miscarriages, Henry had her beheaded and he married his next lover, Jane Seymour. Henry finally received the son he was desperate for with Jane; James VI was born in 1537, despite Jane’s death during childbirth. Henry proceeded to wed the German Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard, and Katherine Parr. None produced children; Anne of Cleves was divorced, Henry beheaded Kathryn Howard, and Katherine Parr survived Henry’s death in 1547 (Eakins
He was born the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. His mother and grandmother coddled him as he prepared for a life in the clergy, as many royal second sons did. When his elder brother Arthur died, Henry married his widow Catherine of Aragorn and assumed the throne in 1509 at the age of eighteen. He went through many shifts of allegiance between France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. When Catherine suffered from no less than six miscarriages during the length of their marriage, Henry decided to annul their marriage on grounds that marrying his brother’s wife was a sin. The pope refused to annul the marriage and Henry arrested Cardinal Thomas Wolsey for his failure in arranging the annulment. He converted the entire country of England to Protestantism, broke all ties to Rome, and married his lover, Anne Boleyn. When Anne Boleyn only produced a girl and several miscarriages, Henry had her beheaded and he married his next lover, Jane Seymour. Henry finally received the son he was desperate for with Jane; James VI was born in 1537, despite Jane’s death during childbirth. Henry proceeded to wed the German Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard, and Katherine Parr. None produced children; Anne of Cleves was divorced, Henry beheaded Kathryn Howard, and Katherine Parr survived Henry’s death in 1547 (Eakins