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Henry VIII | The King of England with six wives

The two best-known facts about Henry VIII are that he had six wives, two of whom he executed, and that he separated the Church of England from the papacy. While the first is more a matter of the exciting stories of history, the second – his separation from Rome – played a vital role in the country’s history.

Henry VIII was born in England on 28 June 1491. He became king in 1509 before he was 18. That same year, Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon. Catherine bore him six children, but only one, Mary I of England, survived to adulthood.

Henry VIII wanted a son to inherit the throne, so he needed a new wife to give him a son. At the time, Henry VIII and much of England belonged to the Roman Catholic Church.

England had eight kings named Henry, the last of whom, Henry VIII, became famous and well known after his six marriages and dispute with the Roman Catholic Church.

The two best-known facts about Henry VIII are that he had six wives, two of whom he executed, and that he separated the Church of England from the Papacy.

Henry VIII was also the most powerful and least popular of England’s monarchs. In 1502, after the death of his brother Arthur at age 15, Henry became Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.