Henry VIII (King of England)

Henry VIII was King of England from 1509 to 1547, known for his strong personality and significant impact on English history. He famously broke away from the Catholic Church to establish the Church of England, mainly to secure a divorce he couldn’t obtain within Catholic tradition. His reign saw political and religious upheaval, including the dissolution of monasteries and shifting alliances. Henry was also a charismatic and educated ruler, but his six marriages and often ruthless decisions deeply influenced England's religious landscape and monarchy structure. His actions laid the foundation for major changes in British society and religion.