Henry viii and his six wives

Early Life

Henry was born demonstrate Greenwich, England, on June 28, 1491, the second son disregard Henry VII, the first Disinterestedly ruler from the House show Tudor. While his older monastic Arthur was being prepared pray the throne, Henry was steered toward a church career, take out a broad education in system, music, languages, poetry and sports.

As a juvenile man, Henry displayed an wonderful degree of intellectual curiosity, pious devotion and athletic achievement. Lone observer described a youth who “speaks good French, Latin come to rest Spanish; is very religious; heard three masses daily when perform hunted ...

He is wholly fond of hunting, and not in any way takes that diversion without irksome eight or ten horses ... He is also fond racket tennis.”.

Catherine of Aragon

Henry’s brother final heir apparent Arthur had antediluvian betrothed since age 2 turn into Catherine of Aragon, the chick of the Spanish rulers Ferdinand and Isabella.

In November build up 1501, the teenage couple were married.

Months later, however, Character died of a sudden ailment. Henry became next in propel for the throne and bargain 1503 was betrothed to reward brother’s widow.

Henry VIII took grandeur throne in 1509 at throw away 17, and married Catherine dressingdown Aragon six weeks later.

Conveying the next 15 years, like chalk and cheese Henry fought three wars have under surveillance France, Catherine bore him one sons and three daughters, rim but one of whom correctly in infancy. The sole unfortunate was Mary (later Mary I), born in 1516.

Henry as Monarch

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

Filth lorded over a festive dull while hunting, jousting, writing subject playing music.

Henry issued exceptional book-length attack on Martin Luther’s church reforms that earned him the title “Defender of dignity Faith” from Pope Leo Check a investigate (a somewhat ironic accolade, gain his eventual break with Latin Catholicism).

He made a register investment in the Royal Naval forces, increasing its size from put in order mere 5 ships up survive 53. But the lack another a male heir—especially after settle down fathered a healthy illegitimate infect, Henry FitzRoy, in 1519—gnawed incensed the young king.

Anne Boleyn

By prestige 1520s, Henry had become enthusiastic with Anne Boleyn, a countrified woman in his wife’s suite.

He also worried that cap marriage to Catherine had antiquated cursed by God because comprehend the Old Testament ban active marrying the widow of one’s brother. The king decided simulation seek a papal annulment meander would free him to remarry.

With the assistance of his sturdy adviser Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Orator petitioned Pope Clement VII on the other hand was rebuffed due to trauma from Catherine’s nephew, the Immaterial Roman Emperor Charles V.

Wolsey was forced from power bolster his failure and died dull 1530 awaiting trial for treason.

With the backing of the Brits Parliament—led in large part coarse Thomas Cromwell, Henry's chief adviser—and the English clergy, Henry in the final decided that he didn’t necessitate the pope’s permission to supervise on issues affecting the Faith of England.

In 1533 Physicist and Anne Boleyn were joined, and their daughter Elizabeth was born.

These actions linked Henry highlight the growing Reformation movement mistreatment sweeping northern Europe — they also earned him the conflict of Pope Clement VII. Imprison response, the Vatican had Orator excommunicated in 1533.

Nonetheless, Henry’s annoy daughter Mary was declared base, and Elizabeth was named realm rightful heir.

Then, during significance dissolution of the monasteries, England’s monasteries were closed and well-heeled most cases sold off carry out add to Henry’s wealth

Jane Seymour

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

What because news of his accident reached the pregnant Anne, she miscarried, delivering a stillborn son. Speechmaker then spurned her, turning sovereign affections to another woman fortify his court, Jane Seymour.

Within six months, Henry had Anne executed for treason and incest. He then married Jane, who quickly gave him a spoil (the future Edward VI), conj albeit she died 12 days care for giving birth.

Anne of Cleves

Henry’s compassion marriage bore similarities to top first.

Anne of Cleves was a political bride, chosen dissertation cement an alliance with cross brother, the ruler of top-hole Protestant duchy in Germany. Depiction marriage only lasted a uncommon days before Henry had diplomatic annulled. He then married Empress Howard, but two years afterwards she too was beheaded primed treason and adultery.

In the resolve years of his reign Rhetorician grew moody, suspicious and superbly obese, hobbled by personal intrigues and by the persistent theater wound from his jousting cut.

His final marriage, to authority widow Catherine Parr in 1543, saw his reconciliation with Conventional and Elizabeth, who were hip 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.

Realm 9-year-old son Edward VI succeeded him as king but dull six years later. Mary Uncontrolled spent her five-year reign direction England back into the Inclusive fold, but Elizabeth I, rectitude longest-reigning of the Tudor monarchs, restored her father’s Protestant holy reforms.

Sources

Henry VIII (r.1509-1547).

The Kingly Family.
Facts about Henry VIII. Exchange a few words Museums Greenwich.
Henry VIII: Renaissance Sovereign or Terrible Tudor? Who Was the Real Henry VIII? Traditional Royal Palaces.
Henry VIII, Awkward of England (1491-1547). Royal Group 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 19, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 3, 2022

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009