Henry VIII

Legendary card · No. 415

Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was the monarch of England and Ireland from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. He is known for his six marriages, his break with the Roman Catholic Church, and his establishment of the Church of England. Born in Greenwich, Henry was the second son of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. This placed him second in the line of succession to the throne, behind his elder brother Arthur, Prince of Wales. Arthur's sudden death in 1502 made Henry the heir apparent, and he was created Prince of Wales in 1504. He was trained in languages, history, religion, hunting, and music. Henry inherited the throne at 17 years old, after the death of his father. He was granted a papal dispensation that allowed him to marry his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon. In the early years of his reign, Henry was described as an attractive, educated, and accomplished king. Henry grew dissatisfied with the marriage to Catherine, appealing to Pope Clement VII for an annulment...

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