Henry VIII and the Reformation

What was Henry VIII's Reformation?

King Henry VIII decided in the 1530s to change the religion of England from Catholic to Protestant in order to help achieve his aims. This is known as the 'break from Rome'.

What was Henry VIII's reason for the Reformation?

There are three main reasons why Henry decided to split from the Roman Catholic church.

• ❖ He wanted to rid himself of his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, after she failed to produce a male heir to the throne to carry on the Tudor name. However, the pope refused to grant him a divorce.
• ❖ Henry had also fought a very expensive war with France and needed a way to pay his soldiers. If he closed all the Catholic monasteries and abbeys in England, he could take their wealth.
• ❖ Henry was power-hungry. He did not like the idea of the pope having authority in England and knew that if he could produce a male heir, then the Tudor name would carry on for years after his death.

What were the consequences of Henry VIII's Reformation?

There were four main consequences of the Reformation.

• ❖ Henry took the wealth of the English monasteries and became very rich.
• ❖ Many people did not agree with the Reformation. There were several rebellions, such as the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536.
• ❖ The Protestant faith grew under Henry VIII.
• ❖ It led to a nation divided on religion, which would cause problems for his successors.