Henry VIII

Henry VIII inherited a very strong and wealthy England from his father, Henry VII, and ruled the country from 1509 to 1547. He was an extravagant king, well-known for his glorious clothes and his excessive weight gain in later years - as well as his six wives! In order to marry his second wife, Ann Boleyn, Henry had to break with the Roman Catholic church and it was during this reign, therefore, that the Church of England was formed. One reason that he had so many wives was that he was desperate for a male heir. He finally managed to have a son, and he, Edward VI, became king on his death. He also had two daughters who became queens, Mary I and the exceptional and very successful Elizabeth I.

Henrys six wives

Catherine of Aragon

Jane Seymour
Anne Boleyn

Anne of Cleves Catherine Parr

Catherine Howard

Henry and his six wives