Contents
Henry VIII
Breaking with papal authority and reshaping England’s church and monarchy.
Act of Supremacy · Dissolution of monasteries
- Born
- 28 June 1491
- Birthplace
- Greenwich, England
- Died
- 28 January 1547
More people
Henry VIII
Henry VIII was a Tudor king whose reign combined religious upheaval, royal expansion and repeated marriage crises.
Early life
Royal family
Was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.
Succession
Became heir after his elder brother Arthur died.
Career
- 1509
Accession
Became king and married Catherine of Aragon.
- 1530s
Religious break
Asserted royal authority over the English church.
- Later reign
Conflict and succession
Continued wars, religious changes and dynastic struggles.
Reign & policies
Act of Supremacy
Established the monarch’s supremacy over the English church.
Dissolution of monasteries
Redistributed monastic property and transformed religious life.
Royal navy
Expanded naval infrastructure and ships.
Beyond work
Marriages
Married six times; two wives were executed.
Culture
Had interests in music, sport and courtly learning.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
