Henry VIII and the Reformation

Henry VIII (reigned 1509-1547) is famous for having six wives and for breaking with the Roman Catholic Church. When the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Henry declared himself head of the Church of England. He dissolved the monasteries (1536-1541), seizing their wealth. The six wives: Catherine of Aragon (divorced), Anne Boleyn (beheaded), Jane Seymour (died), Anne of Cleves (divorced), Catherine Howard (beheaded), Catherine Parr (survived).