Chapter 5 - The King's Great Matter

Question 1

Henry’s religious beliefs

Answer 1

• Supporters of the Catholic church but also interested in the renaissance movement and therefore humanism
• Thomas More was a friend of Henry’s
• Henry was dependant on the church as it legitimised his claim to the throne
• Deeply committed to his faith, attended mass at least once a day and went on pilgrimages

Question 2

Concerns over the succession

Answer 2

• Henry was aware of disputed succession in the war of the roses and so wanted a son with a strong claim to the throne
• Catherine was struggling to have a healthy child, she had 6 children and all but Mary died in infancy
• Henry had hoped for an annulment on biblical terms
  * Leviticus “If a man takes his brother’s wife it is an impurity; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness, they shall be childless”

Question 3

The case for divorce

Answer 3

• Catherine’s opinions
  
  1. The marriage was valid, on religious grounds and personal ones
  2. Marriage was a sacrament and cannot be broken
• Henry’ opinions
  
  1. Made a plan to annul Catherine and allow her to withdraw quietly into a nunnery
  2. The marriage was never valid anyway
  3. He needed a male heir

Question 4

Events surrounding Blackfriars court

Answer 4

1. By the end of 1529 Anne was the king’s companion and essentially took over Catherine’s role in court
2. In March 1529 there was a hearing at Blackfriars Court which came to no conclusion and the court adjourned to meet again in Rome in October
3. Catherine did not like this and insisted on appearing at the hearing as his legal wife
4. Catherine said she would appeal the decision if it did not fall in her favour
5. Wolsey did not manage to prevent this and was replaced as chancellor by Thomas More
6. Catherine of Aragon’s nephew, Charles V had more power than Henry and therefore he was stuck

Question 5

Opinions on Catherine

Answer 5

1. She appealed to ordinary people with her speech at Blackfriars
2. Members of the court were pressured to side with Anne by the Duke of Norfolk who was her Uncle
3. Thomas More and John Fisher supported Catherine as they believed the marriage was legitimate

Question 6

Why did Wolsey support Anne?

Answer 6

1. Wolsey wanted to get the King what he wanted, as his career relied on the King’s happiness
2. He was also pushing for a change in foreign policy, for which Anne’s ties to France would be beneficial

Question 7

Wolsey’s argument

Answer 7

• In order for Henry VII to get Henry VIII married to Catherine, the Pope must give them a dispensation, Wolsey argues that Henry VII asked the Pope for the wrong dispensation, therefore the marriage is null and void.

Question 8

What is the situation with the Pope in 1527?

Answer 8

• He is the prisoner of Charles V and therefore unable to do anything to help Henry