Henry VIII's Reformation

by Peter Beretich

Henry VIII's Personal Motivation Behind the English Reformation

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Outline

Introduction

• Reformation’s sweep across Europe
• Henry VIII’s wife Catherine of Aragon
• Cardinal Thomas Wolsey’s defense of Roman Catholicism

Attempts at Annulment

• Through the Pope
• Through the Archbishop of Canterbury
• Circumventing the Vatican

English Reformation

• Acts of Supremacy
• Removal of St. Thomas Becket
• Dissolution of the Monasteries

Future wives.

• Executions
• Annulments

Epilogue

• Mary I and Catholicism
• Effects on British people today.

Abstract

My project's aim is to analyse King Henry VIII's personal agenda behind initiating the English Reformation. Starting out as a devout Catholic who would consistently defend the Pope and the Vatican, it is curious how he changed his mind so quickly when he wanted to divorce or annul his marriages. His greed and extravagant expenditure also raise questions towards ulterior motives when taking over the land owned by monasteries and appropriating their resources.

Introduction

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Section 1: Background

Introduction

Reformation’s sweep across Europe

The desire to reform the Catholic Church began in the 1400s, but it was not until the publication of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses in 1517 is what caused the movement to gain traction. Luther’s main argument was against the selling of indulgences, which supposedly reduced the punishment after death for sins committed.
In 1521, the young Catholic king, Henry VIII, rebutted against Luther with his piece “Defense of the Seven Sacraments.” For this, Pope Leo X granted the King the title of “Defender of the Faith.” King Henry had demonstrated his faith and loyalty as a devout Catholic.

Catherine of Aragon

Henry was not the first in succession to his father, Henry VII. That position belonged to Arthur, Henry VIII’s brother. Arthur was betrothed to Catherine of Aragon, daughter of the King and Queen of Castile. At the age of 15, Arthur died. This threw off Henry VII's negotiations for a marital alliance with Spain. When Henry VII died, the younger Henry agreed to marry Catherine.

However, as the years passed, Catherine was unable to produce a male heir to the English throne, and Henry became more distant to her. She would eventually only produce one child, the future queen Mary. Henry knew from the loss of his brother that life could end quickly, and without a male heir the kingdom could be thrust into chaos. He needed to find a way to dissolve their marriage, and find a wife who would be able to grant him a son.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Much of Henry VIII's legacy can be attributed to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Christ Church, a part of the University of Oxford, Hampton Court Palace, and the Palace of Whitehall are just some of the buildings initially built or improved upon by Wolsey, and then taken over by Henry VIII.

Wolsey himself was a brilliant negotiator and diplomat, and had the King's ear as Lord Chancellor for nearly 15 years. The meeting between King Henry and King Francis I of France, known as the "Field of the Cloth of Gold" was organized by Wolsey. This magnificent display of wealth held a summit between the two kings

Attempts at Annulment

Through the Pope

During the Italian War of 1521, the Holy Roman Empire, England, and the Papal States were allied against the French and the Republic of Venice. This was during the papacy of Leo X, who had entitled Henry Defender of the Faith in 1521. This alliance defeated France, but the Vatican, under the new leadership of Pope Clement VII, grew worried over the Holy Roman Empire's rising power, and its ability to control more of Italy. Because of this, the Papal States created the League of Cognac, becoming enemies with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Perhaps in an attempt to gain favor with Pope Clement in order to attain an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, England joined the League.

When the Imperial army took over Rome, the Vatican was ransacked, forcing Pope Clement to escape. With the Pope and Vatican so weak, it provided an excellent opportunity for Henry to become a significant ally to the Papal States. In exchange, perhaps they would grant him a favor, namely an annulment of his marriage to a wife that could not produce a surviving male heir. Despite Cardinal Wolsey's best efforts, the Pope would not budge. There was no chance for an annulment from him.

Because of Wolsey's failure, his fall from power was swift. In 1530, even after years of faithful service, and many of Henry's accomplishments attributable to Wolsey, he was ultimately charged with treason, and died before attending trial. This would not be the first person dying after committing "treason" against the King.

Circumventing the Vatican

Henry had fallen for a new woman, Anne Boleyn, but she would not become just another mistress, like her sister had. In a secret wedding service, conducted by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer. He had been approved by the Pope, who had no idea of the events about to take place. Within two years, Henry's marriage to Catherine was annuled, his marriage to Boleyn legitimized, and the King declared head of the Church of England.

The Pope excommunicated Henry and Cranmer. Henry, a lifelong devout Catholic, had abruptly abandoned the religion his nation had followed for centuries in an act of desperation.

The English Reformation

Acts of Supremacy

The 1534 Act of Supremacy did not have parliament give Henry VIII the power to be the head of the Church of England, but instead acknowledged what was his "God-given" power.

Be it enacted by authority of this present Parliament that the king our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors kings of the realm shall be taken, accepted and reputed the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia.

— 1534 Act of Supremacy

Dissolution of the Monasteries

Charterhouse

In 1371, a piece of land previously used to bury victims of the Black Death was granted to Carthusian monks, in order to build a monastery. However, after over 150 years later, King Henry VIII enacted the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This act allowed the Crown estate to appropriate the income of priories, monasteries, and other Catholic buildings, also resulting in the destruction of many of these.

Between 1535 and 1537, monks of the Charterhouse openly refused to accept Henry as head of the English Church, as demanded in the Act of Supremacy. The Prior of the London Charterhouse, John Houghton, was sent to the Tower of London, and later was sent to be executed.

As John Houghton arrived at Tyburn, where he was to be executed, he embraced the executioner as a means of pardoning him, and when asked whether he would submit to the King's laws in order to save his own life, he replied:

"I declare that I have refused to comply with the will of His Majesty the King (Henry VIII), not from obstinacy, malice or a rebellious spirit, but solely for fear of offending the Supreme Majesty of God"

In total, 16 were put to death under Henry, including both monks and lay-brothers who would not accept the King as head of the Church.

Section 2: Deliverable

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