Reasons to divorce CoA

what were Henry’s reasons to divorce CoA

Anne Boleyn, religious conscience, desire for a heir.

when did H8 begin to pursue AB

1526

why was it evidence that Anne Boleyn was a reason for divorce

Henry had had several mistresses previously, and had not shown any desire to end his marriage before Anne Boleyn.

when did Anne agree to marry H8

July 1527

when did Anne & H8 marry

Jan 1533

what did H8 believe about his marriage to CoA

the reason for the stillborn sons & miscarriages with Catherine was a result of God’s judgement on his marriage

what did H8 read that made him think he was being punished by God

H8 read the Leviticus verse “If a man shall take his brother’s wife…they shall be without children”

h8 stopped sleeping with CoA when she was..

39

CoA had not been pregnant since…

1518

what is evidence that H8 desired a male heir

Henry Fitzroy (H8s illegitimate child) was promoted to Duke of Richmond in 1525 in an attempt to legitimise him as heir.

why was h8s lack of an heir a problem

In 1526, while trying to arrange a marriage between Mary & Francis, the French began to question the legitimacy of Mary. Henry began thinking of an annulment with CoA.

what happened to Anne in 1532

Anne Boleyn became pregnant - this raised the pressure on H8 to secure the divorce as otherwise the child would be illegitimate

what religious factor demonstrated that H8 wanted a male heir

h8 used the Hebrew version of the Leviticus which specifies sons instead of children. This demonstrated a strong desire for a male heir

Anne Boleyn did not play a passive role in…

orchestrating H8s divorce

what demonstrates that Anne played an active role in the divorce

he was politically astute and had learnt from her sister's mistakes (Mary Boleyn was a previous mistress of H8, who he discarded). Anne understood the dangers and impermanence of power the position of mistress held and sought to secure her position at court alongside increasing her family’s prestige.