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Biography
Biography
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Henry (VIII, King of England 1509-1547)

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 Born28 June 1491   Born AtGreenwich Palace, Kent
 Died28 January 1547  Buried AtSt. George's Chapel, Windsor
 FatherHenry (VII, King of England 1485-1509)  MotherElizabeth (of York)
Preceded byHenry (VII, King of England 1485-1509)Succeeded by Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553)
 Royal House Tudor Titles include King of England from 1509
 Born28 June 1491 / Greenwich Palace, Kent
 Died28 January 1547 / St. George's Chapel, Windsor
enry VIII was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He became heir to the English throne when his elder brother Arthur died in 1502. Henry had excellent schooling learning both French and Latin. He was skilled at music and later wrote pieces of music for his wives one of which was Greensleeves. He was very athletic and enjoyed jousting. Henry VII died in April of 1509 and Henry became king of England. Henry was only seventeen when he became king and, as he had never been brought up expecting to be king, was happy to leave the affairs of the country to several advisers. These included Warham the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl of Surrey who was the Lord Treasurer, Bishop Foxe and later Thomas Wolsey. Henry dismissed two advisers from his father's reign that had become unpopular with the English people. The two, Empson and Dudley, were found guilty of treason and were executed. Henry was crowned at Westminster Abbey on the 24th of June, 1509. Shortly before the coronation Henry married Catherine of Aragon, the first of his six wives.

Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon was the wife of Henry's elder brother Arthur. The marriage between Catherine and Arthur was arranged by Arthur's father Henry VII as part of a campaign of securing peace in Europe. As the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Aragon, the marriage would secure trust between the two countries. Catherine arrived in England in 1501 and in the November was married to Arthur then heir to the English throne. Within months Arthur had fallen ill and died. Arrangements were then made to marry Catherine and Henry, now heir to the English throne. Henry and Catherine were married at Greenwich in 1509 a month before they were both crowned at Westminster Abbey. Catherine was five years older than Henry. She gave birth to a baby boy in January of 1511, but unfortunately the child died a few weeks later. Catherine had several more babies but all died in infancy until Mary was born in February of 1516. Mary was healthy and Henry now had an heir to the throne but he really wanted a son. Henry began to believe that the marriage to Catherine was wrong because she was his late brother's wife and this was why they were not having the son that Henry needed. Henry needed the marriage to be declared invalid so he could marry again.

Anne Boleyn

Anne was the daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn. Her elder sister Mary had become the mistress of Henry VIII. Henry's attentions turned to Anne but she was not happy to be just his mistress, she wanted to be his wife. Henry was still married to Catherine of Aragon but their marriage had broken down because Catherine could not provide the King with a male heir. Henry wanted the Pope to declare that the marriage to Catherine was invalid, mainly because Catherine had been married to his late brother and in the Bible this was seen as a sin. Henry and Anne were married in January of 1533. Anne gave birth to their first child in September of the same year. The child, called Elizabeth, was a girl much to Henry's dismay but the child was healthy and Henry felt sure that Anne would give him the son he needed. Anne then had a series of stillborn births and finally she had a premature birth in January of 1536 when she was informed that Henry had fallen from his horse and was seriously injured. Henry lost interest in Anne and looked for a way to end the marriage. Anne was accused of adultery and was executed for treason. Elizabeth, her daughter, would later become Elizabeth I, Queen of England.

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour was the third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI. She was the daughter of Sir John Seymour a close aid to Henry VIII. Jane worked as a lady-in-waiting to both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Jane appears to have come to Henry's attention in late 1535 or early 1536 and in May of 1536 they were married. Jane was never given a coronation as the plague struck England in the summer and it was decided to postpone the ceremony. By mid 1537 it was confirmed that Jane was pregnant and on the 12th of October 1537 their son Edward VI was born at Hampton Court. The birth had complications and Jane became ill and died on the 24th of October. Jane was buried in St. George's Chapel at Windsor and Henry gave instructions that when he died he should be buried next to her in the chapel. Of all his wives Jane seems to have been Henry's favourite.

Anne of Cleves

Anne was the fourth wife of Henry VIII. It had been two years since the death of Jane Seymour when the marriage to Anne was suggested by Thomas Cromwell. A marriage to the sisters of the Dukes of Cleve would create a strong European political alliance. In order for Henry to see what Anne and her sister Amelia looked like the artist Hans Holbein was sent to paint their portraits. The painting of Anne was flattering and Henry agreed to the marriage. When Henry saw Anne, who arrived in England on the 1st of January 1540, he was disappointed that the she did not not look like her portrait. At first he wanted to cancel the wedding but the organisation had gone too far and so the marriage took place on the 6th of January. The marriage was a marriage in name only and Henry sought the means to have a divorce. He even unkindly called Anne 'The Flander's mare'. Anne understood the situation and accepted the divorce along with a good income and the use of several homes including Hever Castle. Anne died on the 16th or 17th of July 1557.

Catherine Howard

Catherine Howard was the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Catherine had been a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves and had come to the attention of Henry. She was much younger than Henry who was now almost fifty and had gained a lot of weight. The marriage took place only weeks after Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves was annulled in July of 1540. Catherine soon tired of the king and began a series of affairs with men nearer her age. Two of these were Thomas Culpeper and Francis Dereham. Word of the adultery finally reached Henry who at first refused to believe the news. Catherine and her lovers were arrested and found guilty of treason. Catherine was executed on the 13th of February 1542.

Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr was the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII. She had been made a widow twice by former marriages and was in her early thirties. Henry proposed to Catherine and she accepted although she was in love with Thomas Seymour (brother of Jane Seymour?). Henry and Catherine were married on the 12th of July, 1543. Henry's health was poor due to the leg injury he had suffered when he fell from his horse and Catherine took on the role of his nurse. Catherine also became step-mother to his three children Edward, Mary and Elizabeth who she brought together as family. Catherine and Henry had a dispute over religion and Henry ordered Catherine's arrest. The dispute was settled and the arrest order was cancelled. After Henry died Catherine married Thomas Seymour. She died in 1548.

Related Episodes

Henry VIII and his Six Wives (click here)

Henry VIII and his Six Wives (click here)

Event Location Map (click image to explore)

Family (13) ParentsContemporary (5)

Spouses (Mistresses)

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Fantasy image of Catherine (of Aragon, Queen of England)
Catherine (of Aragon, Queen of England)
Fantasy image of Boleyn, Anne
Boleyn, Anne
Fantasy image of Seymour, Jane (Queen of England)
Seymour, Jane (Queen of England)
Fantasy image of Anne (of Cleves)
Anne (of Cleves)
Fantasy image of Howard, Catherine
Howard, Catherine
Fantasy image of Parr, Catherine
Parr, Catherine
Fantasy image of Blount, Elizabeth
Blount, Elizabeth

Children

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Fantasy image of Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor)
Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor)
Fantasy image of Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603)
Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603)
Fantasy image of Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553)
Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553)

Siblings

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Fantasy image of Arthur (Prince of Wales)
Arthur (Prince of Wales)
Fantasy image of Margaret (Tudor, Daughter of Henry VII)
Margaret (Tudor, Daughter of Henry VII)
Fantasy image of Mary (Tudor, Queen of France)
Mary (Tudor, Queen of France)

Parents

Fantasy image of Henry (VII, King of England 1485-1509)
Henry (VII, King of England 1485-1509)
Fantasy image of Elizabeth (of York)
Elizabeth (of York)
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Contemporary Rulers

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Fantasy image of Charles (V, Holy Roman Emperor (1519-58) and I, King of Spain (1516-56))
Charles (V, Holy Roman Emperor (1519-58) and I, King of Spain (1516-56))
Fantasy image of Ferdinand (II, King of Aragon 1479-1516)
Ferdinand (II, King of Aragon 1479-1516)
Fantasy image of James (IV King of Scotland 1488-1513)
James (IV King of Scotland 1488-1513)
Fantasy image of James (V, King of Scotland 1513-1542)
James (V, King of Scotland 1513-1542)
Fantasy image of Louis (XII, King of France)
Louis (XII, King of France)

 

Family Tree Details

Father:Henry (VII, King of England 1485-1509) (b.1457 - d.1509)
Mother:Elizabeth (of York) (b.1466 - d.1503)
Show Graphical Tree
 Henry (VIII, King of England 1509-1547) (b.1491 - d.1547)
    +Catherine (of Aragon, Queen of England) (b.1485 - d.1536)
    |   = Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor) (b.1516 - d.1558)
    |       +Philip (II, King of Spain 1556-1598) (b.1527 - d.1598)
    +Boleyn, Anne (b.1501? - ex.1536)
    |   = Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603) (b.1533 - d.1603)
    +Seymour, Jane (Queen of England) (b.1508? - d.1537)
    |   = Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553) (b.1537 - d.1553)
    +Anne (of Cleves) (b.1515 - d.1557)
    +Howard, Catherine ( - ex.1542)
    +Parr, Catherine (b.1512 - d.1548)
    +Blount, Elizabeth

Mistresses are shown in italic
 Henry (VIII, King of England 1509-1547) (b.1491 - d.1547)
    +Catherine (of Aragon, Queen of England) (b.1485 - d.1536)
    |   = Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor) (b.1516 - d.1558)
    |       +Philip (II, King of Spain 1556-1598) (b.1527 - d.1598)
    +Boleyn, Anne (b.1501? - ex.1536)
    |   = Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603) (b.1533 - d.1603)
    +Seymour, Jane (Queen of England) (b.1508? - d.1537)
    |   = Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553) (b.1537 - d.1553)
    +Anne (of Cleves) (b.1515 - d.1557)
    +Howard, Catherine ( - ex.1542)
    +Parr, Catherine (b.1512 - d.1548)
    +Blount, Elizabeth

Mistresses are shown in italic

See Also

    People

    • Catherine (of Aragon, Queen of England)
    • Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor)
    • Boleyn, Anne
    • Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603)
    • Seymour, Jane (Queen of England)
    • Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553)
    • Anne (of Cleves)
    • Howard, Catherine
    • Parr, Catherine
    • Wolsey, Thomas (Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of York)
    • Charles (V, Holy Roman Emperor (1519-58) and I, King of Spain (1516-56))
    • Francis (I, King of France 1515-1547)
    • Cranmer, Thomas (Archbishop of Canterbury)
    • Brandon, Charles (Duke of Suffolk)
    • Wareham, William (Archbishop of Canterbury)
    • Aske, Robert
    • Julius (II, Pope 1503-1513)
    • Seymour, Edward (Duke of Somerset, Protector)
    • Hamilton, James (2nd earl of Arran)
    • Howard, Thomas (3rd Earl of Norfolk)
    • More, Thomas (Sir)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Southsea Castle
    • Greenwich Palace
    • Hampton Court Palace
    • Crowland Abbey
    • Pendennis Castle
    • Acton Burnell Castle
    • Hever Castle
    • Framlingham Castle
    • Hurst Castle
    • Yarmouth Castle
    • St. Catherine's Castle
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    Other

    • Calais

    Timeline

    1491
    Jun 28
    Henry (VIII) born

    The future king of England Henry VIII was born at Greenwich Palace. He was the third child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.

    1492    (Age: 1yrs)
    Nov 3
    Treaty of Etaples

    Treaty of Etaples was the peace treaty signed by Charles VIII of France and Henry VII of England. Charles agreed not to support Perkin Warbeck and Henry agreed not pursue his claim to the French throne. Charles also had to pay Henry a large sum of money to be paid over several years.

    1493    (Age: 2yrs)
    ...
    Henry becomes Constable of Dover Castle

    Prince Henry, the future King of England, received his first official title before he was 2 years old. It was the Constable of Dover Castle.

    Apr
    Henry becomes Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports

    Although less than two years old Prince Henry was given the title of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The Cinque ports are five south coast ports (Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, New Romney and Hythe) that were to provide ships to assist keep the English Channel safe from enemy vessels. The last Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

    1494    (Age: 3yrs)
    Sep
    Henry becomes Lieutenant of Ireland

    Henry was given the title of Lieutenant of Ireland, but his duties were carried out by (Sir Edward Poynings ?)

    Oct
    Henry enters the Order of the Bath

    Henry was also entered as a knight into the Order of the Bath and the Duke of York.

    Dec
    Henry enters the Order of the Garter

    Henry (VIII) was given the title of Warden of the Scottish Marches and entered into the Order of the Garter.

    1502    (Age: 11yrs)
    Apr
    Prince Arthur dies

    Prince Arthur fell ill at Ludlow with consumption, an illness that he seems to have suffered from a lot during his life. The illness was severe and he died.

    Oct
    Henry becomes Duke of Cornwall

    The title of Duke of Cornwall was transferred to Prince Henry after the death of Arthur. The title is normally given to the eldest son of the reigning monarch or their sons.

    1503    (Age: 12yrs)
    Jun 23
    Henry and Catherine's marriage arranged

    After the death of Prince Arthur, Catherine of Aragon was now a widow and on the 23rd of June the marriage was arranged between her and Prince Henry. Being the widow of Henry's brother special dispensation was required from the Pope for the marriage to be lawful.

    1505    (Age: 14yrs)
    ...
    Papal dispensation

    Pope Julius II gave permission for the marriage between Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII. The legality of the marriage was in question because Catherine had been married to Henry's elder brother Arthur.

    1509    (Age: 18yrs)
    ...
    Thomas Wolsey becomes royal almoner

    Thomas Wolsey was given the position of royal almoner to Henry VIII.

    Jun 11
    Henry marries Catherine of Aragon

    King Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon at Greenwich Palace. Catherine was the wife of Henry's elder brother, Arthur, who had died in 1502. Henry had to obtain permission from the Pope for the marriage, but not everyone agreed that is was lawful.

    Jun 24
    The coronation of Henry VIII

    Henry and Catherine of Aragaon were crowned at Westminster Abbey.

    1511    (Age: 20yrs)
    Jan 1
    Birth of Henry's first son

    Catherine gave birth to a boy on the first of January but the child did not live long and died in February of the same year.

    May 1
    Joust at Greenwich

    King Henry VIII held a jousting tournament at Greenwich Palace. ¹

    1513    (Age: 22yrs)
    ...
    Thomas Wolsey organises expedition to France

    Thomas Wolsey organised Henry's invasion into France ensuring the army was feed, watered and had good accommodation.

    Jun
    Henry sails to France

    Henry prepared an invasion fleet and set sail for Calais.

    Aug 16
    Battle of the Spurs and fall of Therouanne

    The French cavalry arrived to assist the town of Therouanne which was under siege from the English. The French horsemen were attacked and turned and fled with the English in hot pursuit across the area of Guingate. The battle was known as the Battle of the Spurs due to the speed of the French retreat from the battlefield. The town of Therouanne fell to the English a couple of weeks later. The English entered the town and raised it to the ground.

    Sep
    Fall of Tournai

    After the victory at Therouanne, Henry turned to Tournai. The town fell to the English who entered it but this time took control and stationed a garrison there. Thomas Wolsey was given the bishopric of the town.

    Sep 9
    Battle of Flodden

    King James IV of Scotland's invasion of England came to an end at the Battle of Flodden where he was killed. The English were led by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. Henry VIII was in France at the time.

    1514    (Age: 23yrs)
    Feb 6
    Wolsey become Bishop of Lincoln

    Thomas Wolsey was rewarded with the Bishopric of Lincoln.

    Aug
    Louis XII marries Princess Mary

    A peace treaty was negotiated by Thomas Wolsey with France. One of the terms was that Louis XII of France would marry Princess Mary, the younger sister of Henry VIII. Louis died only a few months later.

    Aug
    English - French peace treaty

    Wolsey negotiated a peace treaty between England and France whereby King Louis XII married the younger sister Mary of Henry VIII and had to pay Henry pension money owed to him under the treaty of Etaples. Peace should be maintained not less than a year after the first of them should die.

    Sep
    Thomas Wolsey becomes archbishop of York

    Thomas Wolsey is promoted to the position of Archbishop of York.

    1516    (Age: 25yrs)
    Feb 18
    Birth of Mary

    All of Catherine of Aragon's children died in infancy until Princess Mary was born in February of 1516. Mary was healthy and King Henry VIII was happy to have an heir. But Henry would have been happier to have a son.

    1517    (Age: 26yrs)
    ...
    Plague

    Londoners were affected by a wide-spread illness forcing Henry VIII and his court to move to the countryside where they felt safer. ¹

    ...
    A new crusade is proposed

    Pope Leo X made proposals for a new crusade and sent word to the leading European countries for support. Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey were not convinced that it was a good idea. ¹

    1518    (Age: 27yrs)
    Oct
    Treaty of London (Universal Peace)

    The Treaty of London or Universal Peace was signed in London between the major European countries, England, France, Burgundy and many more. For Cardinal Wolsey this treaty was a plan to produce a peaceful Europe. The treaty stated that the countries must not attack one another and if they did the other countries would come to the aid of those being attacked. Within the treaty was the agreement that Mary, the 2 year-old daughter of King Henry VIII, would marry the French dauphin.

    1520    (Age: 29yrs)
    Jun 7 (to Jun 24)
    Field of the Cloth of Gold

    The Field of the Cloth of Gold was a meeting between King Henry VIII and King Francis I of France somewhere between Guines and Ardres near Calais. The meeting included a series of tournaments and jousts. The extravagant nature of the event giving the meeting its name.

    1521    (Age: 30yrs)
    Nov
    Treaty of Bruges

    The Treaty of Bruges was conducted in secrecy at Bruges between King Charles V, the Holy Roman Emporer, and Thomas Wolsey. In the terms of the treaty Wolsey promised Charles that King Henry VIII would join him in a joint campaign against France and Francis I. The meeting was held in secret because England was supposed to be a mediator in the dispute between Charles and Francis. The joint attacks of France would have to wait until March or May of 1523.

    1522    (Age: 31yrs)
    Feb
    Henry received the title Defender of the Faith

    At a ceremony at Greenwich Palace, King Henry VIII was bestowed with the title Defender of the Faith. The title being confered by the Pope in recognition of the book Henry wrote against Luther.

    Jun 19
    The Emporer becomes a Knight of the Garter

    Emporer Charles V visited England and during his stay took part in a ceremony at Windsor Castle to become a member of the Order of the Garter.

    1527    (Age: 36yrs)
    ...
    Henry VIII meets Anne Boleyn

    Anne Boleyn came to the attention of Henry VIII. Anne was a lady-in-waiting for Queen Catherine and the sister of Mary Boleyn who was at the time the mistress of Henry VIII. Henry became besotted by Anne.

    May
    Wolsey sets up secret court

    To end the marriage between King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, Thomas Wolsey set up a secret tribunal where Henry had to answer charges of having a illegal marriage. The court was held in secret so Catherine did not know. The plan was to present the facts to the Pope who would annul the marriage. Problems occurred when Rome was attacked by Catherine's nephew Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope was captured. Any chance of the Pope annulling the marriage was now gone.

    Jun 22
    Henry VIII declares his marriage invalid

    Henry VIII told Catherine of Aragon that their marriage was invalid because she had earlier been married to his brother Arthur. Anne Boleyn, who Henry had become besotted with, wanted Henry to divorce Catherine and to marry her.

    Aug
    Wolsey in France

    Thomas Wolsey was sent to France and the court of Francis I by King Henry to secure the release of Pope Clement VII, who was being held captive by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor since Rome had been sacked. The real, and secret reason for freeing the Pope was to get the annulment of the marriage of King Henry and Catherine of Aragon.

    1530    (Age: 39yrs)
    Nov 29
    Death of Wolsey

    Thomas Wolsey died at Leicester.

    1532    (Age: 41yrs)
    ...
    Act of Annates

    Parliament passed a law which prevented the Pope receiving Annates. Annates was the income received by bishop in the first year after his appointment. But a clause was added that allowed the King to postpone the act being but into force. King Henry prevented the act being being enacted, hoping that this would persuade the Pope to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

    ...
    Thomas Moor resigns

    Thomas Moor resigned as Chancellor because he could not accept King Henry becoming the ruler of the Church.

    1533    (Age: 42yrs)
    Jan 25
    Marriage to Anne Boleyn

    Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn at Whitehall Palace on or around the 25th of January. Anne was expecting a child which Henry and Anne hoped would be a boy.

    May 23
    Marriage to Catherine of Aragon declared illegal

    Thomas Cranmer declared that the marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon was illegal and was annulled. The marriage between Henry and Anne Boleyn could then be formalised.

    May 28
    Marriage to Anne Boleyn declared legal

    Thomas Cranmer declared that the marriage between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn was legal.

    Jun 1
    Coronation of Anne Boleyn

    Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer.

    Sep 7
    Birth of Elizabeth to Anne Boleyn

    Anne Boleyn gave birth to Elizabeth a healthy girl at Greenwich Palace. King Henry had hoped they would have a boy to ensure the continuation of the Tudor line.

    Dec
    Princess Elizabeth moved to Hatfield

    Princess Elizabeth was moved from Greenwich, London to Hatfield were she was looked after in the household of Lady Bryan.  ¹

    1534    (Age: 43yrs)
    Jan
    Mary moved to Hatfield

    By the order of Henry VIII Mary's title of Princess had been removed and she was taken to Hatfield to be a servant in the household of Princess Elizabeth, her younger step-sister. Mary was around eighteen years old at this time. Mary was not happy with this arrangement and could not accept that Elizabeth had a better claim to the English throne than she did. ¹

    Mar
    First Act of Succession

    A statute passed by Parliament called the 'Act of Succession' declared that Mary Tudor was illegitimate and not the heir of King Henry VIII because the marriage between Henry and Catherine of Aragon was void. This meant that children of Henry and Anne Boleyn would be the true heirs to the English throne.

    Nov
    The Act of Supremacy

    Albeit the king's majesty justly and rightfully is and ought to be the supreme head of the Church of England, and so is recognised by the clergy of this realm in their convocations, yet nevertheless, for corroboration and confirmation thereof, and for increase of virtue in Christ's religion within the realm of England, and to repress and extirpate all errors, heresies and other abuses heretofore used in the same, be it enacted by authority of this present Parliament, that the king of our sovereign lord, his heirs and successors , kings of this realm, shall be taken, accepted and reputed the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England, called Anglicana Eccesia ; and shall have and enjoy, annexed and united to the imperial crownof this realm, as well the title and crown thereof, as all honours , pre-eminences, jurisdictions, privilages, authorities, immunities, profits and commodities to the said dignity of the supreme head of the same church belonging and appertaining ; and that our said sovereign lord, his heirs and successors, kings of this realm, shall have full power and authority from time to time to visit, repress, redress, record, order, correct, retrain and amend all such errors, heresies, abuses, offences,contempts and enormities, wahtsoever they be, which by any manner of spiritual authority or jurisdiction ought or may lawfully be reformed, repressed, ordred, redressed, corrected, restrained, or amended, most of the pleasure of Almighty God, the increase of virtue in Christ's religion and for the conservation of the peace , unity and tranquillity of this realm ; any usage, foreign law, foreign authority, prescription or any other thing of things to the contrary notwithstanding.

    Nov
    Act of First Fruits and Tenths

    Traditionally when an ecclesiastical poition was filled the first year's income and a tenth of the income from then on had to be paid to the papacy. Henry VIII had a statute passed that meant the payments went to the English Crown instead. This was probably done to force the Pope to annul Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

    Nov
    Treason Act

    King Henry passed a law that made it a high treasonable offence to threaten Henry himself, Queen Anne or their heirs. This included any slander in writing or print.

    1536    (Age: 45yrs)
    (to 1541)
    Dissolution of the Monasteries

    Henry VIII obtained much needed money by suppressing hundreds of religious houses across the country and selling off their lands and assets. The monasteries, abbeys and nunneries had in the past played an important role in the fabric of medieval life. Not only had they acted as a place of worship, but they were also a centre for education, refuge for travellers and provided food for the poor. But times were changing and education was being provided by newly created universities and inns were providing a place for travellers. Less people were interested in a monastic life. Henry and Thomas Cromwell sent out surveyors to report on the state of each religious community, starting with the smaller houses first. Those houses that were badly run or where disipline for the religious order they followed had become slack were closed down immediately and their lands and assets taken. The abbots were offered pensions or money to surrender their houses but also threatened with violence if they did not. Several abbots were executed for not surrendering their abbeys. The inhabitants of the houses were sent to larger abbeys or just abandoned. A second round of suppression followed that concentrated on the larger religious houses. But the suppression did not come without a cost. Several revolts were sparked by the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

    Jan
    Death of Catherine of Aragon

    Catherine of Aragon died. It was believed that she had been poisoned but it is possible that she died of cancer. Catherine died at Kimbolton Castle. Her body was moved to Peterborough Cathedral where she was buried on the 29th of the month.

    Jan 29
    Anne Boleyn loses a son

    Anne had a premature birth resulting in a stillborn child and the child was a boy. The failure to give Henry a son meant the end of her marriage to the king. Henry needed a new wife who could give him a male heir and he had his eye on Jane Seymour. ¹

    May 2
    Anne Boleyn arrested

    Anne Boleyn was arrested at Greenwich after the May-Day jousting tournament on the order of Henry VIII. She was accused of high treason and the poisoning of Catherine of Aragon. Several of her close supporters were also arrested and charged with high treason.

    May 19
    Execution of Anne Boleyn

    Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was executed for treason and adultery at the Tower of London.

    May 30
    Henry marries Jane Seymour

    Henry VIII married his third wife Jane Seymour the former lady-in-waiting to both Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. They were married at York Palace now the Palace of Whitehall.

    Summer
    Netley Abbey surrenders to the King

    Under the Act of the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries it was determined that Netley Abbey was to be dissolved. The Abbot at the time and his monks moved to their mother house at Beaulieu. ¹

    Jun 4
    Jane Seymour proclaimed Queen

    Several days after their marriage, King Henry proclaimed Jane Seymour as Queen of England.

    Jul
    Elizabeth declare illegitimate

    Parliament declared that Elizabeth, like her elder step-sister Mary, was illegitimate. This allowed the next son of Henry VIII to be born to become the heir to the English throne. ¹

    Oct 2 (to Oct 18)
    Lincolnshire Rebellion

    A short rebellion began and lasted a couple of weeks and was the prelude for a much larger rebellion known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. The Lincolnshire rebellion began in response to Henry VIII's unpopular policies, including the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The Rebels also had grievances against Henry's unpopular advisers like Thomas Cranmer. The rebels consisted of both common people and land owners alike, but some land owners were forced to take part. The rebels reached Lincoln where they were assured Henry VIII would listen to their demands if they disbanded. Meanwhile Henry ordered that a army should be sent to Lincoln as kill the rebels. By the time that army, led by the Duke of Suffolk, reached Lincoln the rebels had dispersed.

    Oct 21
    Pilgrimage of Grace

    A large rebellion began in north in Yorkshire following those in Lincolnshire. Known as The Pilgrimage of Grace this rebellion again protested against the unpopular policies and advisers of King Henry VIII. They wanted Henry to put a stop to the dissolution of the monasteries and the removal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer and Henry's adviser Thomas Cromwell. The leader of the rebellion was Robert Aske, a lawyer and excellent organiser. Somewhere between 30,000 and 35,000 rebels were involved and they took control of Pontefract Castle which fell to them without any resistance.

    Oct 27
    Meeting with rebels

    The Duke of Norfolk met with leaders of the rebels on Doncaster Bridge where their demands were heard. The Duke asked the rebels to disband promising that their demands would be considered. The rebels complied with the request to disband and returned home. Henry VIII made no attempt to consider their demands.

    Dec
    Rebels list demands

    At Pontefract the rebel leaders presented a list of demands. The rebels were assured of free pardons.

    1537    (Age: 46yrs)
    Qtr 1
    More uprisings

    Although the main leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace were remaining peaceful and waiting for Henry VIII to look into their complaints others were not so trusting. Several uprisings occurred in the north east of England where Carlisle was besieged. The Duke of Norfolk was able to deal with the rebels and many of those suspected of taking part were hung in their villages as an example to the rest.

    Summer
    Rebel leaders executed

    Henry VIII summonsed the leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace to him in London where the rebels believed they would discuss terms with the King as they had been promised free pardons. Instead, Henry had the rebels arrested. They were sent back to their home lands where they were tried and executed.

    Oct 12
    Edward VI born at Hampton Court

    Jane Seymour gave birth to Edward at Hampton Court. The birth had complications and Jane became ill.

    Oct 24
    Jane Seymour dies

    Jane Seymour died after complications with the birth of Edward VI. She was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

    1538    (Age: 47yrs)
    ...
    Destruction of Thomas Becket's Relics

    Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral and the removal of all the offerings that had been made over the centuries. The bones were supposed to have been burned but may have been reburied sparking a mystery over the location of the remains today. ¹

    1540    (Age: 49yrs)
    ...
    Construction of Pendennis and St. Mawes Castles

    Henry VIII had a pair of castles built at the mouth of the River Fal near Falmouth in Cornwall. The River mouth is a natural deep water harbour and needed protecting from invasion. These were Pendennis and St. Mawes Castles. ¹

    ...
    Waltham Abbey Dissolved

    Waltham Abbey has the distinction of being the last monastery to be dissolved by Henry VIII. ¹

    Jan
    Abbey at Gloucester surrenders

    The monastery at Gloucester surrendered to Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. ¹

    Jan 1
    Henry VIII banquets with Anne of Cleves

    The King met Anne of Cleves at Rochester Castle before moving on to Greenwich in preparation for their marriage.

    Jan 6
    Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves

    Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves were married. Although Henry was disappointed that Anne did not resemble her portrait the marriage went ahead as planned.

    Jul 9
    Marriage to Anne of Cleves annulled

    The marriage of Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves was annulled just a few months after the marriage. Anne agreed to an annual income and the use of several lavish homes in England.

    Jul 28
    Marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine Howard

    Just weeks after the marriage to Anne of Cleves was annulled Henry VIII married Catherine Howard his fifth wife.

    1542    (Age: 51yrs)
    Feb 13
    Catherine Howard executed

    Catherine Howard was executed on Tower Green within the Tower of London. She had been found guilty of adultery and therefore treason and sentenced to death.

    Aug
    Battle of Haddon Rig

    Henry VIII renewed his claim on the Scottish throne and sent his army in the north of England into Scotland. The army was met by a Scottish army led by George Gordon the 4th Earl of Huntley at Haddon Rig in Teviotdale. The Scots defeated the English led by Robert Bowes. ¹

    1543    (Age: 52yrs)
    ...
    Succession to the Crown Act

    The Succession to the Crown Act was an act passed by Parliament specifiying the order of succession to the English throne after the death of Henry VIII. Although Edward was the youngest the order would be Edward, Mary and then Elizabeth.  ¹

    Jul
    Treaties of Greenwich

    At Greenwich a treaty was signed by the Scots and King Henry VIII swearing firstly peace between the two nations and secondly the agreement that Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, should marry Henry's son Edward. Although these two treaties were initially agreed they had been rejected by the Scots by the end of the year. King Henry at first wanted Mary to be brought to England but two sides agreed that she should remain in Scotland until her tenth birthday.

    Jul 12
    Marriage of Henry and Catherine Parr

    Henry VIII married Catherine Parr, his sixth and final wife, at Hampton Court Palace.

    1544    (Age: 53yrs)
    ...
    Construction of Southsea Castle

    Henry VIII built Southsea Castle at the entrance to Portsmouth harbour to protect against French invasions.

    ...
    Construction of Hurst Castle

    Henry VIII built Hurst Castle, another of his chain of gun-fort castles on the south coast of England designed to defend England from a French invasion. The castle was built on a spit of land stretching out into the Solent.

    May
    Burning of Edinburgh

    After the collapse of the Treaties of Greenwich, which were supposed to bring peace between England and Scotland and the marriage of Prince Edward to Mary, Henry VIII tried to get agreement through force. The King sent the Earl of Hertford (Lord Hertford) with an army to Scotland and in May they attacked and destroyed Edinburgh. This was the first military action in a series of engagements between England and Scotland now known as the Rough Wooing.

    1545    (Age: 54yrs)
    Jul 19
    Sinking of the Mary Rose

    King Henry VIII watched from Portsmouth as the Mary Rose, the flag ship of his navy, mysteriously sank with the loss of hundreds of lives.  ¹

    1547    (Age: 56yrs)
    ...
    Yarmouth Castle Construction

    The building work at Yarmouth Castle on the Isle of Wight was completed in this year. The castle was one of the gun-forts that Henry VIII had built to defend the south coast of England against invasion from the French.

    Jan 28
    Death of Henry VIII

    King Henry VIII died at Whitehall Palace at the age of 55. He was buried in St. George's Chapel Windsor next to Jane Seymour, his favourite wife.

    3D Virtual Reconstructions

    Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past. Built using the popular game development tool Unity 3D, these reconstructions will run in the most of the popular web browsers on your desktop or laptop computer.

    More medieval people

    Uncover the lives of the hundreds of kings, queens, lords, ladies, barons, earls, archbishops and rebels who made the medieval people an exciting period of history to live through.

    Selection of references used:

    • 1. Timbs & Gunn, Abbeys, Castles & Ancient Halls of England & Wales
    • 2. J.J.Scarisbrick, Henry VIII
    • 3. Neville Williams, Elizabeth I, Queen of England
    • 4. Abbot Gasquet, The Greater Abbeys of England, 1908
    • 5. T. Francis Bumpus, The Cathedrals of England and Wales, 1934
    • 6. John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales
    • 7. Richard Cavendish, Kings and Queens The Concise Guide, ISBN:978-0-7153-2376-2
    • 8. Richard Oram, The Kings and Queens of Scotland, ISBN:0-7524-3814-X

      See Also

        People

        • Catherine (of Aragon, Queen of England)
        • Mary (I, Queen of England 1553-1558, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor)
        • Boleyn, Anne
        • Elizabeth (I, Queen of England 1558-1603)
        • Seymour, Jane (Queen of England)
        • Edward (VI, King of England 1547-1553)
        • Anne (of Cleves)
        • Howard, Catherine
        • Parr, Catherine
        • Wolsey, Thomas (Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of York)
        • Charles (V, Holy Roman Emperor (1519-58) and I, King of Spain (1516-56))
        • Francis (I, King of France 1515-1547)
        • Cranmer, Thomas (Archbishop of Canterbury)
        • Brandon, Charles (Duke of Suffolk)
        • Wareham, William (Archbishop of Canterbury)
        • Aske, Robert
        • Julius (II, Pope 1503-1513)
        • Seymour, Edward (Duke of Somerset, Protector)
        • Hamilton, James (2nd earl of Arran)
        • Howard, Thomas (3rd Earl of Norfolk)
        • More, Thomas (Sir)
        • A .. Z List of Medieval People

        Places

        • Southsea Castle
        • Greenwich Palace
        • Hampton Court Palace
        • Crowland Abbey
        • Pendennis Castle
        • Acton Burnell Castle
        • Hever Castle
        • Framlingham Castle
        • Hurst Castle
        • Yarmouth Castle
        • St. Catherine's Castle
        • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

        Other

        • Calais
        3D/VR

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        2: Alignment

        Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.

        3: Size

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