When Prince Arthur (Henry's brother) passed away, he left his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Arthur's marriage to Catherine brought both Spain and England together. Since Catherine was still of age to remarry when her husband passed, and the English wanted to keep their ties with Spain, it was decided that when Henry was of age he would marry his brother's widow.
Once Henry and Catherine married they began attempting to have children together. In the January of 1510 Catherine gave birth to a daughter, but she was stillborn, marking the start of Henry's misfortune. All Henry wanted was a male heir. Catherine and Henry managed to have six children together, including three boys, but only one child survive. Their only child whom survived was Mary, who was born in 1516. By the end of the 1520's Catherine was in her forties and Henry was becoming desperate to have a son.
After a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Henry faced many failed marriages with multiple women and many failed attempts at obtaining a male heir.
Eventually , his third wife Jane Seymour had a son on October 12 1537. Quite soon after the birth of her son, Jane Seymour died of complications. Henry did eventually remarry 3 more times, but later died in January 1547.
After Henry's death, his only legitimate son, Edward inherited the crown,becoming Edward VI. Edward was only nine when he inherited the crown, therefore he could not exercise any actual power. Until Edward reached eighteen, 16 executors were assigned to serve on the council of regency and Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford ( Jane Seymour's brother) was to serve as Lord Protector of the Realm. Since Edward did not have any heirs, the throne was passed down to Mary I (Catherine of Aragon's daughter) and her heirs, if she had any. And since she did not the crown was then passed on to Henry's youngest daughter, Elizabeth I, whom he had with his second wife ,Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth also did not obtain any heirs and after her death, the crown was passed down to James VI of Scotland who became James I of England.
Once Henry and Catherine married they began attempting to have children together. In the January of 1510 Catherine gave birth to a daughter, but she was stillborn, marking the start of Henry's misfortune. All Henry wanted was a male heir. Catherine and Henry managed to have six children together, including three boys, but only one child survive. Their only child whom survived was Mary, who was born in 1516. By the end of the 1520's Catherine was in her forties and Henry was becoming desperate to have a son.
After a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Henry faced many failed marriages with multiple women and many failed attempts at obtaining a male heir.
Eventually , his third wife Jane Seymour had a son on October 12 1537. Quite soon after the birth of her son, Jane Seymour died of complications. Henry did eventually remarry 3 more times, but later died in January 1547.
After Henry's death, his only legitimate son, Edward inherited the crown,becoming Edward VI. Edward was only nine when he inherited the crown, therefore he could not exercise any actual power. Until Edward reached eighteen, 16 executors were assigned to serve on the council of regency and Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford ( Jane Seymour's brother) was to serve as Lord Protector of the Realm. Since Edward did not have any heirs, the throne was passed down to Mary I (Catherine of Aragon's daughter) and her heirs, if she had any. And since she did not the crown was then passed on to Henry's youngest daughter, Elizabeth I, whom he had with his second wife ,Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth also did not obtain any heirs and after her death, the crown was passed down to James VI of Scotland who became James I of England.