Abstract
The paper outlines Henry VIII's early life, how he was influenced by Thomas Wolsey, and how his familial life would lead to the eventual severance of the Church of England from the papacy. The paper points out that despite his scandalous marital escapades and bloodthirsty nature, he also built on a grand scale and brought unity to a previously fractious society.

Outline:
Introduction
Early Life
War and Wolsey
King Henry VIII, The English Church and its Break with Rome
Other Achievements
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Henry was born in the royal palace at Greenwich, on June 28, 1491. His early education was directed by the poet laureate John Skelton. Henry was not only very athletic, enjoying jousting, tilting and other sports, but he also had a keen mind. He spoke at least three languages and some of his music compositions are still performed today. Although Henry was the second son of King Henry VII, with the death of his older brother, Arthur, in April 1502 Henry became heir to the throne of England and Prince of Wales. Fourteen months later, in June 1503, at the age of 12, Henry was also betrothed to Catherine of Aragon -- his brother's widow and the daughter of Ferdinand II and Isabella I of Spain1. When Henry VII died in April 1509, Henry VIII became King of England2, setting England on a new course of history, albeit a tumultuous course."

Tags:Thomas, Wolsey, Church, of, England, papacy, Catherine, of, Aragon, Ann, Boleyn, Jane, Seymour

Abstract
This paper examines the importance of the choices of wives made by King Henry VIII of England, with an emphasis on the political significance of these marriages. First, the paper describes how the Tudor family came to power in England and the necessity of a male heir for Henry VIII because of the Tudor's weak claim to the throne. Then, the paper describes each of Henry's six wives and why he married each of them. Most unions were based on political alliances between England and other European monarchies, while other marriages were for political reasons within England's noble families. Henry's conflict with the Catholic Church is discussed and how it affected his choice of wives. The paper describes the demise of Henry's wives, which included beheading two, the death of one in child birth, and divorcing another two.

From the Paper
"During a time when it was expected that the Queen be subservient and obedient to the King, the level of guile used by each woman courted by Henry VIII was essential in manipulating their way to the English crown. Although in the end Henry's desire for a son is crucial. This was due to the tempestuous period prior to the Tudor reign, the War of the Roses. In the end King Henry would be married six times, divorce two wives, authorize the beheading of two others, tear down the authority of the Catholic Church in England, and create the Anglican Church simply to accomplish his own self interests all for one necessary end. To preserve and substantiate the weak linage that led his family to claim the right of the English throne."

Tags:Katherine of Aragon, Katherine Parr, Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Tudors

Abstract
A brief description of Henry VIII's decision to found the Anglican Church along with a personal reflection on whether the author of the paper would have made the same choice.

From the Paper
"King Henry VIII's decision to found the Anglican Church began with what contemporary observers termed the King's Great Matter the King's attempted annulment of his marriage to his then wife Catherine of Aragon. Popular perception views Henry's decision as purely based on a desire to father a male heir and to marry the much younger Anne Boleyn without considering the larger implications of the issues involved."

Tags:Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Anglican church, Act of Supremacy

Abstract
Argues that Wolsey, as Lord Chancellor and an intimate advisor to Henry VIII, was not a pawn of the King. Wolsey's consolidation of his personal power and wealth. His being subject to the King's pleasure and will. His diplomatic talents and achievements. His role in Church reform & disastrous administration of the Church. His excellent changes in the law courts. Outline.

From the Paper
"I Thomas Cardinal Wolsey was not a pawn of Henry VIII even
though all his actions were subject to the King's approval.
A. Wolsey's talents and ambition made him an accomplished diplomat and administrator, and allowed him to amass great wealth from his ecclesiastical positions. Wolsey's status as his own man, rather than a pawn of the King, must be judged in terms of what he wished to accomplish rather than by current standards.


II Wolsey had great diplomatic talents.
His Treaty of London secured a vital alliance with France and made England a major power in European politics.


B. Wolsey grasped the importance of clear, comprehensive treaties along modern lines and securing English safety..."

Abstract
This paper examines Henry VIII's motivation to undertake a religious reformation in England, moving away from the Catholic church and instituting Protestantism in England. It further argues that the schism was not caused only by Henry's desire to marry Anne Boleyn. Rather, many factors influenced Henry's break from Rome. Particular attention is given to the influence and power held by Cardinal Wolsey, who is viewed as the true instigator behind Henry's desertion of the Church. Various historians and their theories about the Henrician Protestant Reformation are quoted throughout the paper. The paper concludes by citing the legacy of Henry's children and their religious views.

From the Paper
"To begin a coherent analysis of the division between Rome and England, it is first necessary to understand the environment in England as it pertained to the Tudor royal line. There is every indication that the Church in England was either misled, or ignored the urgency with which the Tudors viewed the continuation of the Tudor royal dynasty in England. In either case, whether the Church was misled, or whether the Church did not sense the urgency of the Tudor royal house in its continuation, it comes back to Cardinal Wolsey, who served as the link between the House of Tudor and the Church, and who, next to the king alone in England, and the Pope in Rome, was the most powerful man in the history of the schism. This is not to say that Henry's confessor, John Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, was not a powerful figure, nor that he was not complicit in the schism, which he was, because he conferred with Wolsey on a regular and consistent basis."

Tags:Reformation, Catholicism, Anne Boleyn, English Reformation, Tutors

Abstract
The paper shows how King Henry VIII created the modern conceptual model for English governance. The paper details the events of Henry's reign including his divorce of Catherine of Aragon and his marriage and eventual beheading of Ann Boleyn, and highlights his changing relationship with both Parliament and the Pope. The paper also discusses Henry's institutional foundation of secularism and his support of high culture in the court.

From the Paper
"King Henry VIII was one of the most formative influences upon England during the early Renaissance. He created the modern conceptual model for English governance, an England that depended upon human, monarchal authority, rather than Church influence. The relationship between Parliament and King developed under Henry was unique for its day, and later enabled England to engage in electoral reforms, rather than undergo violent rebellions to enfranchise the populace like the European Continent in the 19th century."

Tags:Elizabeth, Church, governance, Parliament, poetry, drama, culture

Abstract
This paper will discuss the elements of historical perception that are revealed in King Henry the VIII by William Shakespeare. By examining historical text, which Shakespeare used to bring history to life, we can see the unreliability of literary and historical textual proofs for history within this play.

Abstract
This paper offers a brief biography of King Henry VIII, of England. It includes aspects of Henry's youth, his education and physical prowess. It also explores his battles with the Roman Catholic Church and France, his marriages, and his later declining years.

From the Paper
"To better understand the life of England's King Henry VIII one of the most famous and infamous of monarchs in history the times into which he was born must be understood. Like his father Henry VII, Henry VIII reigned during the transition from Medieval England to Renaissance England. The advent of the printing press, the rise of skepticism, the move toward secularism and unprecedented scientific experiment were responsible for rapidly changing ideas. They were also the cause of some of the greatest conflicts ..."

Tags:Anglican church, Katherine of Aragon, Spain, Holy Roman Empire, Renaissance, Kingship, Henry VII, heirs

Abstract
In this article, the writer first looks at the immediate circumstances in which Henry VIII first conceived the idea of divorce from Catherine. The paper then points out that there were also other surrounding factors that must be taken into consideration when considering whether Henry VIII's break with Rome really was driven by Henry's sole desire for divorce. The paper points out that some scholars say the role of Cardinal Wolsey, the king's advisor, was crucial in so far as he supposedly suggested the plan to the King himself; some point to the influence of Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon on his decisions; still others believe that the broader force of anti-clericalism ultimately played an important part since it helped transform a mere issue of divorce into one of a conflict between Church and State. The paper concludes that despite all these important factors, the chief factor for the break with Rome can be found with Henry himself and in his undoubted passion for Anne whose role in shoring up Henry's affection towards her and determination for the cause was far from unimportant in a desire that resulted in England rejecting the authority of the papacy.

Outline:
Introduction
The Strength of Henry's Desire
The Influence of Anne Boleyn
The Place of Anti-clericalism
Conclusions

From the Paper
"More fundamentally, it is questionable whether the Cardinal himself really did have intentions to become Pope. When Wolsey did obtain a position as a Cardinal in Rome, he frequently absented himself away from the place, even declining recommendations that he should go for his own benefit. Following accusations that his titular Church of St Cicilia was involved with embezzlement, he hardly exuded an air of concern about this as reflecting badly on his character and hence his potential candidacy. Nor did he make any serious attempt at cultivating a network of people on whom he could rely when it came to electing a Pope. Realistically, there was only one influential supporter, Campeggio, an acquaintance merely by virtue of him being a legate in England. Otherwise, Wolsey half-heartedly looked to minor figures that could not be expected to hold real clout. Even Silvestro Gigli, a diplomat, was treated rather indifferently in the role of go-between with Rome, so that Gigli was frequently moved to complain that Wolsey was not keeping him, and thus Rome, informed about developments in England."

Tags:Anne, Boleyn, Catherine, of, Aragon, marriage

Abstract
The following paper examines how well Wolsey and Cromwell supported Henry's ambitions to be a great and grand king. The writer argues that Wolsey's role was to administer, whereas Cromwell reformed and created, and it was mainly due to his efforts that the reign of Henry VIII is seen as a critical point in the transition from medieval to modern government.

From the Paper
"A succession of ministers served Henry VIII during his reign, although today only two, possibly three, names come to mind. Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell were the two pre-eminent servants of Henry's reign with others such as Fox, Warham and Gardiner taking a lesser role. Sir Thomas More is possibly better known today for a modern play about him than for what he achieved in three years as Lord Chancellor after Wolsey's fall."

Tags:boleyn, eltham, england, fox, gardiner, government, more, papacy, reformation, warham