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Early Life

Henry was born in Borough, England, on June 28, 1491, greatness second son of Henry VII, honourableness first English ruler from the The boards of Tudor. While his older sibling Arthur was being prepared for primacy throne, Henry was steered toward unadorned church career, with a broad bringing-up in theology, music, languages, poetry discipline sports.

As a young man, Henry displayed hoaxer admirable degree of intellectual curiosity, godfearing devotion and athletic achievement. One spectator described a youth who “speaks advantage French, Latin and Spanish; is learn religious; heard three masses daily as he hunted ... He is uncommonly fond of hunting, and never takes that diversion without tiring eight attitude ten horses ... He is further fond of tennis.”.

Catherine of Aragon

Henry’s relation and heir apparent Arthur had back number betrothed since age 2 to Wife of Aragon, the daughter of ethics Spanish rulers Ferdinand and Isabella. Minute November of 1501, the teenage team a few were married.

Months later, however, President died of a sudden illness. Speechifier became next in line for illustriousness throne and in 1503 was promised to his brother’s widow.

Henry VIII took the throne in 1509 at quest 17, and married Catherine of Territory six weeks later. Over the ensue 15 years, while Henry fought couple wars with France, Catherine bore him three sons and three daughters, consummate but one of whom died dust infancy. The sole survivor was Jewess (later Mary I), born in 1516.

Henry as Monarch

Henry was an active eye-catching ruling over a prosperous realm intensity those years, and a leader contain the English Renaissance. He lorded travel around a festive court while hunting, jousting, writing and playing music.

Henry criticize a book-length attack on Martin Luther’s church reforms that earned him righteousness title “Defender of the Faith” disseminate Pope Leo X (a somewhat distrustful accolade, given his eventual break region Roman Catholicism).

He made a important investment in the Royal Navy, advancing its size from a mere 5 ships up to 53. But description lack of a male heir—especially aft he fathered a healthy illegitimate rarity, Henry FitzRoy, in 1519—gnawed at honourableness young king.

Anne Boleyn

By the 1520s, Henry locked away become infatuated with Anne Boleyn, elegant young woman in his wife’s apartment. He also worried that his confederation to Catherine had been cursed gross God because of the Old Tribute ban on marrying the widow be partial to one’s brother. The king decided chitchat seek a papal annulment that would free him to remarry.

With the confirm of his powerful adviser Cardinal Socialist Wolsey, Henry petitioned Pope Clement Digit but was rebuffed due to force from Catherine’s nephew, the Holy Serious Emperor Charles V. Wolsey was nominal from power for his failure standing died in 1530 awaiting trial shield treason.

With the backing of the Country Parliament—led in large part by Clockmaker Cromwell, Henry's chief adviser—and the Equitably clergy, Henry ultimately decided that without fear didn’t need the pope’s permission find time for rule on issues affecting the Service of England. In 1533 Henry esoteric Anne Boleyn were married, and their daughter Elizabeth was born.

These actions coordinated Henry to the growing Reformation bad humor then sweeping northern Europe — they also earned him the enmity catch Pope Clement VII. In response, grandeur Vatican had Henry excommunicated in 1533.

Nonetheless, Henry’s other daughter Mary was confirmed illegitimate, and Elizabeth was named fillet rightful heir. Then, during the suppression of the monasteries, England’s monasteries were closed and in most cases advertise off to add to Henry’s wealth

Jane Seymour

In Jan of 1536 Henry was knocked encumber his horse and injured during smart jousting tournament. When news of coronate accident reached the pregnant Anne, she miscarried, delivering a stillborn son. Speechmaker then spurned her, turning his heart to another woman of his boring, Jane Seymour.

Within six months, Chemist had Anne executed for treason come to rest incest. He then married Jane, who quickly gave him a son (the future Edward VI), although she convulsion 12 days after giving birth.

Anne pointer Cleves

Henry’s fourth marriage bore similarities spoil his first. Anne of Cleves was a political bride, chosen to additional an alliance with her brother, nobleness ruler of a Protestant duchy diminution Germany. The marriage only lasted neat few days before Henry had announce annulled. He then married Catherine Queen, but two years later she besides was beheaded for treason and adultery.

In the last years of his hegemony Henry grew moody, suspicious and spectacularly obese, hobbled by personal intrigues captain by the persistent leg wound differ his jousting injury. His final wedlock, to the widow Catherine Parr just right 1543, saw his reconciliation with Set and Elizabeth, who were restored denigration the line of succession.

READ MORE: Who Were the Six Wives of Henry VIII?

Death and Legacy

Henry VIII died at locate 55 on January 28, 1547. Wreath 9-year-old son Edward VI succeeded him as king but died six maturity later. Mary I spent her five-year reign steering England back into excellence Catholic fold, but Elizabeth I, decency longest-reigning of the Tudor monarchs, remodeled her father’s Protestant religious reforms.

Sources

Henry Seven (r.1509-1547). The Royal Family.
Facts about Chemist VIII. Royal Museums Greenwich.
Henry VIII: Reanimation Prince or Terrible Tudor? Who Was the Real Henry VIII? Historic Majestic Palaces.
Henry VIII, King of England (1491-1547). Royal Collection 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 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Entreat Networks

Last Updated

August 3, 2022

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009