Henry VIII

Running Head : THE KING 'S GREAT MATTER

The King 's Great Matter and the Henrician Reformation

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The King 's Great Matter and the Henrician Reformation

The Reformation in Europe was a crucial period in history . It was an occurrence which began in the end of the medieval era , where several important changes were taking place . One of those changes which occurred in Europe was in relation to religion . A new way of thinking that became prevalent after the Middle Ages caused the people

to question the power and authority of the Church . With the arrival of the 14th century , demands for Church reforms were heard all throughout Europe . One of the European countries wherein the power of the Church was challenged was England . Henry VIII was the reigning monarch in England during that time . He had participated in the Reformation through his efforts to undermine papal authority . The motive behind the monarch 's religious defiance was his intention to dissolve his marriage to Catherine of Aragon . This dilemma over the king 's marriage was known as The King 's Great Matter . This essay seeks to discuss and prove that it was indeed The King 's Great Matter which caused the Henrician Reformation in England

The situation of Henry VIII with regards to his marriage would only be understood if it was taken from the context of his life . It is therefore important to discuss the monarch 's biography to grasp the problem in relation...