To what extent did Henry VIII’s desire for a male heir cause the English Reformation?

By Claire Kelly

This article explores the reasons behind the English Reformation, mainly focusing on Henry VIII's desire for a male heir. It also portrays how his greed for wealth and his love for Anne Boleyn were just as significant in causing the reforms. Anne Boleyns influence was stronger than most people realise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claire Kelly
• Release date: Mar 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476308395

Claire Kelly

Claire Kelly was born near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. She attended University at York and obtained a BA Degree in History, mainly specialising in Tudor England. Her first piece of work published on Smashwords was the dissertation she did in her final year. She has a strong interest in Medieval and Tudor History, as well as Horses, Horse Racing and Eventing. She lives near Harrogate, with her husband and two children.

Book preview

To what extent did Henry VIII’s desire for a male heir cause the English Reformation?

Claire Kelly

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright Claire Kelly 2006-2011

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Contents Page.

Introduction

Chapter 1 … To what extent did Henry VIII’s desire for a male heir cause the English Reformation?

Chapter 2 … To what extent did Henry VIII’s greed for financial gain cause the English Reformation?

Chapter 3 … To what extent did Anne Boleyn’s influence cause the English Reformation?

Conclusions

Bibliography

Introduction

This article is centred around the English Reformation, and the causation of it. It asks to what extent the need for a male heir was the reason behind the dissolution of the monasteries. This, of course, was quite relevant, as Henry was desperate to have a son to continue the Tudor lineage. However, the study continues to regard two other main aspects as to why the Reformation occurred, which is financial gain, and more significantly Henry’s love for Anne Boleyn, and how this infatuation led to his divorce from Catherine, and in so doing changing the religion of the nation. These are the most important factors to consider, as others, such as religion and foreign affairs were integral to everyday Renaissance life, and are therefore less significant. On the title page of this study, there is a picture of Anne Boleyn, by Holbein. On the majority of the books about the Reformation, there is usually Henry VIII, suggesting that the Reformation was his genius and plan. But I have used Anne for a reason, for it is she who was the main cause of the English Reformation, and this view I intend to put across.

Many authors have regarded this topic in the past, perhaps most famously and certainly most used as a reference guide is Geoffrey Elton and Jack Scarisbrick, both of which portray a full investigation in their books of the period in question, giving detailed accounts of the causes and proceedings of the Reformation. Because I have used these two books a great deal in the research of this work, it is important to give a short overview of them. Geoffrey Elton’s England Under the Tudors, is an indispensable source of information covering the period between 1485-1603. It is this text that formed the basis of historical thought on the Tudor period for the last 50 years, portraying Elton’s opinions as a large contribution as to how people view that dynasty. Though his work is old, as it was first published in 1955, it is a classic, and still portrays the turbulent history of Tudor England, providing an insight to the monumental changes in religion, government and the monarchy, arguing several different reasons to the Reformation. It is an ideal book to use for any academic reader as it would provide them with a thorough knowledge of the key events and figures of the Tudor period, providing them with an interesting and accurate interpretation.

Just as significant to the study is Scarisbrick’s literature on the Reformation, Henry VIII, which portrays some