Influences on the Formation of the Anglican Church under Henry VIII and Edward VI

Henry VIII (1509-1547) is among the most famous, and definitely infamous, kings of English history. Besides having six wives, he is most well-known for having the courage to carry out what probably no one had dared to do before: to arbitrarily break with Rome and the Pope, and to step on the path of Reformation. Triggered by his intention to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, this process, took a long time before it could be completed, and was not one without difficulties and obstacles. Although it is him whom the breach is primarily associated with, other people, in the service of the King, and circumstances also played an essential part, if not a key one, in transforming England from a Catholic to a formally Protestant country. Moreover, at times, Henry seemed to be influenced by his men without him even recognising it. On his death reformers took control of the country continuing to carry out the conversion. However, Protestantism could finally take roots in England under the reign of Henry’s son, Edward VI, turning it into Protestant in its practices as well. But since the new King was almost still a child, the country was, in fact, run by others. In my thesis, I am aiming at highlighting that the conversion of England was not the achievement purely of these two kings, but other forces contributed significantly to it as well, from time to time even having a greater role than the monarchs themselves.Bscanglisztik