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Henry VIII and the break with Rome

Study note

Henry VIII followed his father Henry VII onto the throne and carried on the work of strengthening royal power. Yet he is remembered most of all for two things, breaking away from the Church of Rome and marrying six times.

The break with Rome grew out of his personal life. Henry wanted to end his marriage to his first wife, but a divorce needed the approval of the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. When the Pope refused to grant it, Henry took a dramatic step.

He established a new Church, the Church of England, with himself rather than the Pope at its head. In this new Church it was the king, not the Pope, who could appoint bishops and decide how people should worship. This was a turning point in English religion and a key example of the Reformation in England. The fact to fix in mind is that Henry VIII broke with Rome to obtain a divorce and so created the Church of England.

Memory tip: Henry VIII broke with Rome to get a divorce, creating the Church of England.

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Question 1 of 3

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 break with Rome(3 questions with explanations)

Henry VIII and the break with Rome: questions, answers and explanations

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

    • He wanted to join the Spanish Empire
    • He wanted to conquer Scotland
    • He wanted a divorce that the Pope would not allow
    • Parliament forced him to

    Correct answer: He wanted a divorce that the Pope would not allow

    Henry VIII broke with Rome because the Pope would not grant his divorce.

  2. 2. Which Church did Henry VIII establish?

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

    Correct answer: The Church of England

    Henry VIII established the Church of England, with the king as its head.

  3. 3. In the Church of England set up by Henry VIII, the king, not the Pope, appointed bishops.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. The king, not the Pope, appointed bishops in the new Church of England.

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