Henry VIII- annulment Flashcards
What were the three main factors in divorcing Catherine of Aragon?
- Theological reasons.
- Love for Anne Boleyn.
- Need for a male heir.
What were the main reasons Wolsey was unable to obtain an annulment?
- Charles
- Successful opposition from Charles and Campeggio.
- Weakness of theological arguments.
How does Henry justify his love for Anne Boleyn?
-He was living in sin and in danger of eternal damnation.
What did Campeggio say about Henry’s feelings for Anne?
-Says nothing and thinks nothing but Anne.
Why was Anne Boleyn a reason for divorce?
- Henry found Anne youthful, educated and Whitty.
- She was very Coy and refused to sleep with him until the marriage was assured.
- Likely drove Henry crazy.
What does P.Gwyn say about Anne Boleyn?
That it would have been tactically foolish for Henry to reveal his love for her.
How is the argument for theological arguments weakened by Henry’s love for Anne?
Anne’s sister had been Henry’s mistress which made the marriage just as problematic.
Quotes from Henry’s love letters to Anne?
‘the love between us too’
‘give up yourself body and heart to me’
‘your most loyal servant’
What were Henry’s main theological arguments?
- Did the pope have the authority to issue the papal dispensation?
- ‘Marriage was sinful- evident by the death of sons’
- Leviticus 20:16 (Broken Gods law)
What was Leviticus 20:16?
- A man takes his brother’s wife; it is an unclean thing; they shall be childless.
- Had a son with Bessie Blount- Henry Fitzroy supposedly proving this.
- Only had Mary (Hebrew version specifically mentioned sons).
What was the book of Deuteronomy?
A man’s duty to follow and marry his brother’s wife, if the brother died.
What year did Henry seek to annul the marriage?
1525.
How does Henry Fitzroy strengthen the argument that the need for a male heir was the most important reason for the annulment?
- Henry VIII gave him high prestige, lands and titles. (lord Lieutenant)
- Was a knight of the garter.
- Summoned to parliament.
- Was Henry training his ‘jewel’ as king out of desperation. (he died though). (sent to council of nouth).
Why was there no real chance of an heir from Catherine of Aragon?
- He stopped sleeping with her in 1524.
- no pregnancy since 1518 and she was 47
What was Henry’s fear of not having a male heir?
-Feared a succession crisis or even civil war upon his death.
What shows the lack of precedent for a female ruler?
-shown by king Stephens seizure of the throne in 1135.
What is a weakness of the argument that Henry’s need for a male heir was essential?
- Henry didn’t rush into the marriage- a smooth succession regarded them to be sixteen
- Henry was 36 in 1527.
Why was the legitimacy of his marriage to Anne essential?
-Looking back at the ‘stain’ of the princes in the tower.
What was the issue of Charles in gaining an annulement?
-He was dominating the pope and pulling the strings.
Why did Charles oppose the annulment?
-Catherine was his aunt- Hapsburg pride.
How did Charles attempt to stop the annulement? (1)
- Sacking Rome in 1527, meaning the Pope could not grant the annulment because he didn’t want to upset Charles
- Pope deliberate delays.
- Public opposition of the suspension of cloth trade in 1527 and 1528- Charles in control of Netherlands
Who were the two main forces of opposition (other than Charles)
- Campeggio.
- Catherine.
How did Campeggio oppose annulment?
- Campeggio was instructed by the pope to delay.
- constant complaints and took a year to get to Henry
- suspended court as summer recess demanded in July.
- His agreement was needed.
How did Catherine oppose annulment?
- Did not want divorce
- Refused to go to convent ‘intended to live and die in the state of matrimony (letter written to Campeggio in 1528).
- Said her and Arthur has not consummated
- John Fisher provided her defence.
What to finish
Charles and theological
How did Charles oppose the annulment (2) (ASK MATT)
- French Cardinal rejection of Wolsey’s acting Pope proposal.
- Eventual peace made after battle of Landriano in 1529 where the French defeated.
- Cambrai and Barcelona- peace- no military solution.
Why was Book of Deuteronomy more relevant than Leviticus (theological weakness)
- Arthur dead.
- 1509 Papal dispension-Leviticus was overlooked
- Pope was not going to say he was wrong because of the rising reform movements.
What happened when the theological arguments became international?
-Catherine and Henry take sides and there are multiple books supporting her along with the Bishop of Rochester.
