By the late 1520's Henry VIII had become infatuated with Anne Boleyn, one of his wife's ladies in waiting. Henry was worried that his marriage to Catherine was cursed by God because it is stated in the Old Testament, that marriage to one's own brother's wife or widow is banned. He believed this was the cause for the many miscarriages and stillbirths that his wife had. Although at the time the King did receive a special dispensation from Pope Julius II to marry Catherine. But, he was now determined to take Anne Boleyn as his wife and end his marriage with Catherine. He set to seek a papal annulment that would allow him to get a divorce and remarry.
With the help of his powerful adviser Cardinal Wolsey, Henry called upon Pope Clement VII to allow him to have a divorce but was denied due to pressure from Catherine’s nephew, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
It was clear an annulment could not be obtained, but with the support of the English parliament and clergy, Henry decided that he did not need the approval of the pope to rule on issues affecting the Church of England. It was declared that the King would be the supreme in English spiritual affairs, similar to how he was in English temporal affairs. This was the start of the England breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church.
Henry brought about the English Reformation. In 1534, Henry VIII was officially made Supreme Head of the Church by an Act of Parliament. The country still remained Catholic but the Popes power and influence decreased.
Finally, due to the fact that Henry was now the Head of the Church, he was able to divorce Catherine and remarry Anne Boleyn in 1533.
With the help of his powerful adviser Cardinal Wolsey, Henry called upon Pope Clement VII to allow him to have a divorce but was denied due to pressure from Catherine’s nephew, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
It was clear an annulment could not be obtained, but with the support of the English parliament and clergy, Henry decided that he did not need the approval of the pope to rule on issues affecting the Church of England. It was declared that the King would be the supreme in English spiritual affairs, similar to how he was in English temporal affairs. This was the start of the England breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church.
Henry brought about the English Reformation. In 1534, Henry VIII was officially made Supreme Head of the Church by an Act of Parliament. The country still remained Catholic but the Popes power and influence decreased.
Finally, due to the fact that Henry was now the Head of the Church, he was able to divorce Catherine and remarry Anne Boleyn in 1533.