Anne and Henry VIII: The Beginning
- Henry VIII’s pursuit of Anne began in the late 1520s.
- Unlike his previous relationships, Henry was captivated by Anne’s spirit and intellect but refused to consummate the relationship until she became his wife.
The King's “Great Matter”
- Henry’s desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne sparked a constitutional and religious crisis.
- The Pope’s refusal to annul the marriage led Henry to sever ties with the Catholic Church and establish the Church of England.
Anne’s Role in the Reformation
- Anne’s support for religious reform and patronage of Protestant thinkers positioned her as a central figure in the English Reformation.
Queenship: Power and Precarity
Marriage and Coronation
- Anne and Henry married secretly in 1533; she was crowned queen later that year.
- She was charismatic and sought to assert her authority as queen consort.
The Birth of Elizabeth
- Anne gave birth to Elizabeth in September 1533, but failed to produce a male heir, a significant disappointment to Henry.
Court Faction and Opposition
- Anne’s assertiveness and reformist views made her many enemies at court, including powerful conservative nobles.
- She was accused of arrogance and meddling in politics, intensifying factional rivalries. shutdown123