Faithful Harry and the Reformation

Evaluating Events Leading to Henry VIII's Excommunication

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2011 in the subject History Europe - Other Countries - Middle Ages, Early Modern Age, grade: A, Lubbock Christian University, language: English, abstract: Henry VIII was a larger than life figure, and continues to be treated as such today, but what led to his break with Rome and his Royal Supremacy status in England? Was it Anne Boleyn, the search for a male heir, or the need for financial security in England that ultimately caused the break? Countless historians have taken on the task of answering this question and many theories have circulated. My poster will follow Henry through the Reformation and, in due course, conclude with the onset of the Reformation. I'm especially interested in Henry's Seven Sacraments. As a result of my research, I believe that the real inspiration behind Henry's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon was his yearning for a male heir. Anne Boleyn could not have been the prime reason or the instigator during the pre-Reformation time. I find conclusive evidence that shows Henry swaying towards a divorce before Anne was present at court and caught the eye of the king. Financial security for England is another theory that has been presented, but this security came with the Reformation; it was not the cause. Henry was more concerned with the security of the throne than fiscal worries when he first criticized Rome. There are several benefits in understanding the English Reformation and its foundations. Such understanding can help us discern the psychology of Henry VIII as a man, partially help the tarnished reputation of Anne Boleyn, and make clearer the history of England post-Reformation. Keywords: Henry VIII, Reformation, Anglican