2006-11-26 06:55:37 · 10 answers · asked by nuala c 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Because he had a compulsive desire to have a male heir. Since his current wife (I forget which one off hand) didn't provide, he wanted a divorce. For political reasons, the Pope wouldn't grant it, so Henry went to Parliament, had them break away from Rome and start the Church of England, and had himself made head of the Church.
2006-11-26 07:04:31 · answer #1 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Henry wanted a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, because she hadn't given him a male heir. (Their only surviving child was a daughter, Mary). Added to this was the fact that Henry had recently become infatuated with one of Catherine's maids in waiting, Anne Boleyn. Catherine refused to grant Henry a divorce. Her nephew happened to be the Holy Roman Emporer. He had recently taken the Pope, Clement VII captive, and so the pope could not grant Henry a divorce without incurring the wrath of the Emporer. Henry had himself declared Head of the English Church and so was able to grant himself a divorce.
2006-11-26 20:11:08 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He wanted to divorce Katherine of Aragon(his first wife) because she did not provide him with a male heir. He also wished to marry Anne Boleyn so he broke away from Rome and became head of the Church.
2006-11-26 15:13:22 · answer #3 · answered by lindathegreatx 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Henry had been married to Catherine of Aragon for about 15 years. She had borne him one daughter, Mary, had several miscarriages, and one son who had died. As they got older, he became more and more worried that he would not produce a male heir. He blamed Catherine for it, and decided he needed a new wife. One of her ladies in waiting caught his eye--Anne Boleyn. She did all she could to entice him, but refused to give in completely unless he married her. It drove him crazy. His advisors convinced him that the marriage to Catherine could be annulled as against scriptures, since she had been married to his brother before she married him. He sent a messenger to the pope to request the annullment. Unfortunately, the King of Spain was a relative of Catherine, and he had invaded Rome and was holding the pope hostage. The pope was powerless, and could not grant the annullment. Henry wasn't used to being told no, so needless to say, he was not amused. He held a trial in England trying to get a divorce, but the church there also refused to grant it. He became convinced that he should be the one who made decisions like this, not the pope, so he broke away from the Catholic church and set up the Church of England, naming himself as head of the church, and granting himself a divorce from Catherine.
2006-11-27 09:12:11 · answer #4 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order to divorce Katherine sp? of Aragon.
2006-11-26 15:14:36 · answer #5 · answered by Stacye S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Pope wouldn't sanction his first divorce.
2006-11-26 14:59:52 · answer #6 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because he needed a divorce badly .
2006-11-26 15:03:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because he wanted to divorce his wife but the pope would not let him
2006-11-26 18:14:38 · answer #8 · answered by novaicedogs9 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He wanted a divorce. yeah, it really is that simple.
2006-11-26 15:03:13 · answer #9 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it wouldn't accept his other 7 wives LOL
2006-11-26 14:57:48 · answer #10 · answered by Mary Smith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋