Henry VIII (born June 28, 1491, Greenwich, near London, England—died January 28, 1547, London) was the king of England (1509–47) who presided over the beginnings of the English Renaissance and the English Reformation.
King Henry VIII’s break with the Catholic Church is one of the most far-reaching events in English history. During the Reformation, the King replaced the Pope as the Head of the Church in England, causing a bitter divide between Catholics and Protestants. But why did Henry make such a drastic split?
When Martin Luther issued grievances about the Catholic Church in 1517, King Henry VIII argued against him and became known as the "Defender of the Faith".
Barely a decade later, Henry VIII would break decisively with the Catholic Church, accept the role of Supreme Head of the Church of England and dissolve the nation’s monasteries,...so what happened?
Anglicanism is one of the major branches of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation and a form of Christianity that includes features of both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. Anglicanism a worldwide family of religious bodies that represents the offspring of the Church of England and recognizes the archbishop of Canterbury as its nominal head.
On these pages you will find information about the life, mission and workings of the Church which is present in communities large and small in 23 dioceses across the country.
