What was the Great Matter? Flashcards
Who were Henry’s heirs to the throne?
1/ Mary Tudor - Only legitimate heir but female
2/ Henry Fitzroy - Illegitimate son by mistress Bessie Blount. Made Earl of Richmond, possibly prepping for throne. Dies before Henry so issue of public opinion irrelevant.
What is the problem with Catherine of Aragon?
Married Henry in 1509 - Gives Henry daughter but is 42 and unlikely to have more children.
What did Anne Boleyn offer Henry?
1/An intelligent wife brought up at French Court
2/Ambitious, wants to be Queen but will not have sex before marriage
3/The chance of a male heir
Why did Henry want to divorce Catherine: Matter of Conscience
1/ Leviticus - Saw absence of male heir as punishment for marrying brother’s wife.
2/ Began to doubt the right of Pope to initially give dispensation.
Why did Henry want to divorce Catherine: A legitimate heir
1/ Fear over female heir - Matilda did not fare well
2/ Is Mary legitimate if the marriage was null?
3/ Henry Fitzroy being prepped - Henry preparing for no more children, Catherine is 42
4/ Concerns over War of Roses - Edward IV has many alive descendants.
Why did Henry want to divorce Catherine: Love for Anne Boleyn
1/ Wrote many love letters for her
2/ Appealing intelligence and upbringing
3/ Anne will not become Mistress, only Queen
4/ Could provide him male heir
What does the Book of Leviticus say?
‘If a man marries his brother’s wife, they will die childless’ - Used this as basis for legal case against dispensation by Pope Julius II.
A divorce was unnecessary as the marriage was never legitimate.
What did it state in the book of Deuteronomy?
‘It is the duty of the dead man’s brother to marry her’ - Henry chose to ignore this.
