ia_2009_b_melissa

=B. Summary of Evidence (500-600 words) Tips]=

__** Henry VIII was the King of England from 1509 to 1547. He did not directly succeed his father Henry Tudor to the throne, as he only became king after the death of his brother Arthur. Henry also inherited Arthur’s wife – Katherine of Aragon. Henry and Katherine were betrothed a year after Arthur’s death in 1503. Unfortunately for the King and Queen, the majority of their children were either stillborn or died a few months after birth. Prince Henry was born on January 1st 1511 though died on 22nd February in the same year. Princess Mary was the only living heir produced by Katherine – which later proved to be a problem for Henry later on in their marriage. **__ Henry VIII’s "break with Rome" WORD COUNT TOO HIGH __** The majority of Henry VIII’s reputation as a monarch rests mainly on his break with Rome and his decision to abandon the Catholic faith. During Henry’s rule, it was only during the mid 1520’s that he showed any signs of wanting dramatic religious reforms. In 1521 Henry was granted the title “Defender of the Faith” by the pope - though there was more than one reason for this decision. Henry firstly wrote an anti-Lutheran book //Assertio Septem Sacramentorum// - which obviously put him in high favour with the pope. However Henry was openly brooding over the fact that King Francis was named “The Most Christian King” and King Charles V was titled the “Holy Roman Emperor” – the pope wanted – and needed - to keep the peace with England as well as the rest of Europe.
 * __ Who was Henry VIII? NOT FINISHED

In 1522 Henry first noticed the charismatic Anne Boleyn as “Perseverance” in a court pageant. She refused to succumb to his passions and therefore their relationship developed over the next five to six years. Henry broke all marital ties with Queen Katherine of Aragon in 1524. In 1527 Henry actually began to doubt the validity of his marriage to Katherine, partly because of her failure to give him a male heir, and also because of his infatuation with Anne Boleyn - who was still refusing to become his mistress. He asks the Pope for an annulment.

King Charles V – also Queen Katherine’s nephew - was always a hurdle for Henry concerning his divorce to Katherine and desired marriage to Anne. As early as 1525, there were feelings of resentment and distrust between the two kings. Charles V defeated the French in Pavia – meaning his influence in Italy and over the pope grew enormously. The English and the Spanish were originally allies however this rapidly disintegrated - Charles V felt that Henry had let him down concerning finance and support; and Henry detested Charles’s lack of support in his plans to invade France. Whilst in England Henry began his inquiry into the validity of his marriage in 1527, King Charles V imprisoned the Pope in the “Sack of Rome” - which obviously delays Henry’s divorce. In September 1528 Cardinal Campeggio is sent to England to hear the case on the Pope’s behalf. The case is fully underway by May 1529 – led by Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeggio. However Charles V made circumstances difficult for Henry throughout 1529. In July, Campeggio suspends the trial due to Charles V’s increasing influence in Italy; in August, the Treaty of Cambrai allies France, Papacy and Charles V – leaving Henry with very few allies.

Nevertheless events favoured Henry through the 1530’s. After the arrest and death of Wolsey in 1529, Henry was made “Supreme Head of the Church” in England in 1531. This allowed Henry to grant himself a divorce to Katherine – which he did and eventually banished her from court only a few months after he was given his new title.