How did Henry VIII of England become Protestant?

Henry Viii was married for 24 years to Catherine of Aragon. They had a number of children but only one, their first child Princess Mary, survived. Henry was concerned to have a male heir to guarantee the succession. ( see info on the Wars of the Roses for background on that). read more

Once Henry’s son Edward VI ascended the throne, then the Church of England did become clearly Protestant, but not under Henry. read more

After their marriage, Henry became the head of the Church of England, effectively ending England's association with Catholicism and the pope; however, Henry VIII never gave up his Catholic beliefs, even as the country gradually adopted Protestantism. read more

Henry VIII established the Church of England after his split with the Pope. However, England stayed much the same, even with the new state religion. Its doctrines and practices were, at first, very similar to those of the Catholic Church. read more