Henry VIII and Catholicism
Posted by P. Bingham on September 10, 1998 at 13:02:39:
In response to Defender of the Faith, written by Constanza on September 08, 1998 at 10:07:32
One thing to remember about Henry VIII is his reasons for making himself head of his own faith. Americans often get the wrong side of the story and so blame Henry for the break. His decision was not based on, for the most part, religious reasons, but for political reasons (heir included). The air too was rather a little ripe for religious desent throughout Europe, including England, given Martin Luther's influence and others, and so it could be said that Henry VIII's advisors had another agenda. (Anne Bolen was very interested in Martin Luther's faith and would have been very happy for England and Rome's parting. Henry VIII did everything he could to keep from breaking from the church, was indeed a vocal and literary admirer, and the break itself could be blamed just as easily, and rightfully so, on the Pope. This break might have happened eventually, given the rise of the Protestant faiths, but it would certainly not have been Henry VIII to do it, undermore normal circumstances. But this for from Jane!
Patricia
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