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King Henry VIII Introduction

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King Henry VIII Introduction

Read the information, then solve the history challenges. Use evidence from the passage to support your answers.

Read: A king who changed England

Henry VIII was born in 1491 and became king of England in 1509. He belonged to the Tudor dynasty, which ruled from 1485 to 1603. Henry was interested in music, sport and learning, as well as ruling his kingdom. Henry married six times. He wanted a son to inherit the throne, but his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, did not have a surviving son. Henry wanted his marriage to end, but the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, would not agree to an annulment. Henry’s disagreement with the Pope led to a major change. In 1534, Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy. It declared Henry the Supreme Head of the Church of England, separating the English church from the authority of the Pope in Rome. This did not mean that Henry invented Christianity or that everyone in England immediately shared the same beliefs. The change affected religion, government and people’s daily lives. Henry ruled until his death in 1547. His son Edward VI became king after him. Historians study Henry because his decisions changed the relationship between the monarch, the church and the people of England.

History challenges

Use the passage to answer each question.

1.Henry VIII became king in 1509. Which historical period did he belong to?

Tudor
Victorian
Stuart
Roman

2.How many times did Henry VIII marry?

3.True or false: Henry’s first wife was Catherine of Aragon.

TrueFalse

4.Complete the sentence: In 1534, Parliament passed the of Supremacy.

5.What did the Act of Supremacy declare about Henry and the Church of England?

6.Put these events in chronological order by writing 1, 2 and 3: Henry dies (1547); Henry becomes king (1509); the Act of Supremacy is passed (1534).

7.Why did Henry disagree with the Pope? Use one detail from the passage.

8.Match each date to the event.

1509
1534
1547

Act of Supremacy passed
Henry becomes king
Henry dies

9.The passage says Henry’s decisions changed the relationship between the monarch, the church and the people. Give one reason why historians might consider him a significant figure.

10.A classmate says, “Henry invented Christianity.” Is this supported by the passage? Explain your answer.