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Henry VIII and the Church of England

Study note

Henry VIII is one of the most famous English kings. In the 1530s he broke away from the Church of Rome, which was led by the Pope, because the Pope would not allow him to divorce his wife. To gain control over the church and his own marriage, Henry created the Church of England, with the monarch, rather than the Pope, as its head. This was the Church of England, not the Church of Scotland.

Henry VIII is also remembered for marrying six times in his search for a male heir and a suitable queen. This break with Rome was a major part of the wider Protestant Reformation in England. The key fact to remember is that Henry VIII set up the Church of England after Rome refused to grant his divorce, and that the English monarch became the head of that new church.

Memory tip: Six wives' fates: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

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Question 1 of 5

Why did Henry VIII break away from the Church of Rome?

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Show all questions and answers for Henry VIII and the Church of England(5 questions with explanations)

Henry VIII and the Church of England: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Why did Henry VIII break away from the Church of Rome?

    • To unite England and Scotland
    • Because Parliament ordered him to
    • So he could divorce and remarry, leading to the Church of England
    • To join the Spanish Empire

    Correct answer: So he could divorce and remarry, leading to the Church of England

    Henry VIII established the Church of England after Rome refused his divorce.

  2. 2. How many wives did Henry VIII have?

    • Three
    • Six
    • Two
    • Four

    Correct answer: Six

    Henry VIII famously had six wives.

  3. 3. Which church did Henry VIII establish when he broke away from Rome?

    • The Church of Scotland
    • The Methodist Church
    • The Roman Catholic Church
    • The Church of England

    Correct answer: The Church of England

    Henry VIII created the Church of England, with the monarch as its head.

  4. 4. Under Henry VIII, the monarch became the head of the Church of England.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Henry VIII made the monarch the head of the new Church of England.

  5. 5. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Henry VIII created the Church of England when Rome refused his divorce
    • Henry VIII created the Church of Scotland when Rome refused his divorce

    Correct answer: Henry VIII created the Church of England when Rome refused his divorce

    Henry VIII established the Church of England after Rome refused his divorce.

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