‘Henry VIII’s decision to divorce Catherine of Aragon came about primarily as a result of political reasons’. How far do you agree with this statement?
‘Henry VIII’s decision to divorce Catherine of Aragon came about primarily as a result of political reasons’. How far do you agree with this statement?
Henry VIII officially decided to divorce Catherine of Aragon in 1527. This was because of many reasons, for instance, spiritual implications and a new female in his life, Anne Boleyn. However, his political considerations out shone all of these other causes.
Henry believed he should divorce his wife because he had spiritual doubts about the validity of his marriage to his brother’s bride. He was convinced about the impurity of his marriage on the basis of the Book of Leviticus which warned of childlessness for those who entered a forbidden marriage. Of course, Henry’s marriage with Catherine was not childless; he had a daughter, Mary. By this time, however, Henry has firmly convinced himself that the marriage ran counter to God’s will and the law. For Henry, Catherine’s failure to produce a son proved to him that his suspicions were correct and the Pope should not have granted him permission to go ahead with the union. If he had a son to take over from him, he would not have believed the words of Leviticus in the Bible.
Another reason why Henry decided to end his relationship with Catherine was the role of Anne Boleyn. She was the sister of one of Henry’s previous mistresses and by the early part of 1526 had become the dominating source of his affections. She refused to become his mistress and the more she refused him, the more he pursued her. She was ten years younger than Henry and still had many childbearing years ahead of her. Whereas, in comparison, the ageing queen was seven years older than him and her ability to produce an heir was slowly fading. Having said this, Henry did not cast off his marriage with Catherine lightly, he had loved her and been her partner for eighteen years, but his apparent love for Anne seemed to out shine that. His love would not have been tarnished with Catherine had the
Henry VIII officially decided to divorce Catherine of Aragon in 1527. This was because of many reasons, for instance, spiritual implications and a new female in his life, Anne Boleyn. However, his political considerations out shone all of these other causes.
Henry believed he should divorce his wife because he had spiritual doubts about the validity of his marriage to his brother’s bride. He was convinced about the impurity of his marriage on the basis of the Book of Leviticus which warned of childlessness for those who entered a forbidden marriage. Of course, Henry’s marriage with Catherine was not childless; he had a daughter, Mary. By this time, however, Henry has firmly convinced himself that the marriage ran counter to God’s will and the law. For Henry, Catherine’s failure to produce a son proved to him that his suspicions were correct and the Pope should not have granted him permission to go ahead with the union. If he had a son to take over from him, he would not have believed the words of Leviticus in the Bible.
Another reason why Henry decided to end his relationship with Catherine was the role of Anne Boleyn. She was the sister of one of Henry’s previous mistresses and by the early part of 1526 had become the dominating source of his affections. She refused to become his mistress and the more she refused him, the more he pursued her. She was ten years younger than Henry and still had many childbearing years ahead of her. Whereas, in comparison, the ageing queen was seven years older than him and her ability to produce an heir was slowly fading. Having said this, Henry did not cast off his marriage with Catherine lightly, he had loved her and been her partner for eighteen years, but his apparent love for Anne seemed to out shine that. His love would not have been tarnished with Catherine had the