Henry VIII
Discovering the aims of his decisions
The video about Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon is imaginary, but it is founded on a actual historical facts. So it could be happened …
What is the impression about Henry VIII as a king? Share your opinion with your classmates.
The official image of the King
Portrait of Henry VIII of England, after Hans Holbein the Younger, 1536 or 1537, Oil on canvas, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
The picture shows a portrait of Henry VIII painted in 1540 when he was 44 years old and had been king of England for 26 years.
King Henry’s thoughts and problems
Download the worksheet for reading Henry’s politics troubles
But did Henry always find the right solutions?
Search for the answers Henry gave his troubles reading the texts provided by the teacher. Download the worksheet
To sum up, Henry VIII had to face these main problems: he strongly needed
- a male heir;
- money for the court and warship;
- to affirm his supreme rule.
Considering these issues, read the following text in order to find the decisions taken by Henry VIII. Pinpoint the relevant sentences and, at the end, share your answer with the class. Download the worksheet
How did Henry solve his problems?
What do your analysis lead to? Download the worksheet for doing the assignment
A true historian has to consider the original sources, so you are asked to read and analyze one of most important document published by Henry VII
Analyzing an original source: The Act of Supremacy
King Henry VIII of England (1509–1547) had sought to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536). Because the Pope would not annul the marriage, Henry sought to make himself Head of the Church in England. This Parliamentary Act from 1534 gave legal sanction to Henry’s assumption of those clerical powers. It’s also true that Henry, being in financial difficulty, wished to appropriate the wealth of the Catholic Church — land, buildings, treasures and titles — to increase his revenue and finance his court.
The Act of Supremacy
The language of the Act of Supremacy lays on emphasis on the king’s privileges and power over the Church. Download the worksheet and do the assignments.