Importance Of Catherine Of Aragon And The Succession

Question 1

How the marriage was successful

Answer 1

Catherine was a popular queen as she did lots of charity work

She was suportive of Henry

Strengthened Henry’s relationship with Spain and Holy Roman Empire

Question 2

Why was Catherine’s failure in producing male heir concern for Henry

Answer 2

Reflected badly on Henry’s manhood

Threatened the succession as no male heir so raised prospect of invasion of civil war

Catherine six years older and 1527 she was 42 making it unlikely that she will have another baby nevermind a boy

Question 3

Henry’s now questioned his marriage

Answer 3

Henry blamed Catherine for not giving him a son

Henry lost interest in Catherine and turned his attention to younger Anne Boleyn

By marrying his dead brothers wife he thought god was punishing him by not giving him a male heir

Question 4

Ways to end the marriage

Answer 4

An annulment

Question 5

What was the problem with an annulment

Answer 5

Only the pope could approve the annulment

An annulment would upset Charles V Catherine’s nephew which would affect relationships with Spain

Cathrine would resist an annulment because it would imply she was no more than the kings mistress and her daughter would lose claim to throne