Henry VIII

Henry VIII (June 28th, 1491 to January 28th, 1547) was the King of England and Lord of Ireland from April 22nd, 1509 until his death. A larger than life man, he was the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty succeeding his father Henry VII and was one of the most powerful and formative rules in British history. Interestingly, he was not supposed to be King at all, being groomed to become King only after the death of his older brother Arthur.

Henry is most famous for his six wives, and his split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 under the Act of Supremacy passed by Parliament. He established a new church, the Church of England that same year. He also formed a navy that was to become the basis of British sea power for centuries to come.

Henry's wives:

• Catherine of Aragon
• Anne Boleyn
• Jane Seymour
• Anne of Cleves
• Katherine Howard
• Catherine Parr

His legal children: (all of whom became monarchs in their own right)

• Mary I
• Elizabeth I
• Edward VI