Question

What was one major cause of Henry VIII's decision to break with the Catholic Church and divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon?
A.
Henry wanted a male heir, and Catherine had only given him a daughter.
B.
Henry believed that Catherine was plotting to have him overthrown.
C.
Henry had never been very religious, and Catherine was a devout Catholic.
D.
Henry had been forced to marry Catherine by his father and some Church officials.

Answer 1

A. Henry wanted a male heir, and Catherine had only given him a daughter.

He sought an annulment because he needed a male successor; when the pope refused (partly under pressure from Catherine’s nephew, Emperor Charles V), Henry broke with Rome and established the Church of England so he could divorce her and marry Anne Boleyn.