Ascended throne 1509.163 Originally the epitome of a medieval-style prince, Henry eventually became a Rennaissance tyrant. While his break with Rome is normally ascribed to his infatuation with Anne Boleyn, it had more to do with Henry’s growing sense that he should be able to do whatever he wanted and answer to no man. It betokened much harsher steps to come, and he eventually became a petty tyrant. His reign is red with the blood of his closest confidantes and advisors, including Cardinal Wolsey and St Thomas More. The parallels between this Henry’s interactions with this St Thomas and Henry II’s interactions with St Thomas a Becket are a fascinating historical tableau that shows how much had changed in the meantime.1

Henry declared his 20-year marriage to Katherine of Aragon invalid due to consanguinuity: she had first been the wife of his brother Arthur. Katherine steadfastly (and believably) clung to her claim that the marriage with Arthur was never consummated (they were both very young and Arthur was ill for much of their 6-month marriage before his death). Henry claimed the issue of consanguinuity had cursed their marriage, making it impossible for Katherine to bear a son. While he was married to Katherine he had two children by Mary Boleyn. When Mary faded in importance to him, he took up Mary’s sister Anne next. Years later, when he’d decided to rid himself of Anne, he trotted out the old issue again: their marriage could not posisbly be valid, since Henry had slept with Anne’s sister beforehand. While men like Thomas More went to the stake rather than submit to the concept that Henry’s marriage to Katherine was invalid (thereby disinheriting her daughter Princess Mary), no one protested by the time Henry used the same excuse to get rid of Anne. It was a sign not only of her unpopularlity but, more importantly, of the consolidation and extent of his power.1

Greatly beloved by Henry VIII, she died shortly after giving birth to Edward.

Jane was a great contrast to Anne Boleyn, her predecessor. She was kind and good-hearted, and largely domestic. She did not take part in affairs of state, as Anne had, nor did she involve herself in church controversies. She was never crowned queen; rumors at the time suggested that Henry said she should not be crowned until she gave birth to a son (quite unfair, considering it was Henry’s erratic sexual performance that contributed most to his many childless relationships). Regardless, Jane died only eight days after giving birth to Edward, England’s long hoped-for male heir, from complications due to childbirth. She’d been queen for only eighteen months.554