starter activity

What do these words, written in the margins of a prayer book as they worshipped together during morning Mass in around 1527 reveal about Henry’s

relationship to Ann?

If you remember my love in your prayers as strongly as I adore you, I shall hardly be forgotten, for I am yours. Henry R forever

By daily proof you shall findTo be to you both loving and kind AN

Why did Henry Why did Henry ditch Catherine?ditch Catherine?

TBAT identify & evaluate TBAT identify & evaluate reasons for H8’s annulment reasons for H8’s annulment

from CoAfrom CoA

Learning objectives

Key words: annulment canon law consanguinity

There is much controversy over the reasons for the King’s decision to divorce Catherine and marry Anne. Read this biography of Anne from the BBC website & decide whether the author thinks Henry or Anne was to blame or there were other reasons.

Your taskYour task

Read p.83-4 including sources A-C.Read p.83-4 including sources A-C. Under the headings ‘Religious Under the headings ‘Religious

reasons for annulment’ note down reasons for annulment’ note down reasons why Henry wanted a divorcereasons why Henry wanted a divorce

Note down the problems with his Note down the problems with his argumentsarguments

From Source A, what impression do From Source A, what impression do you gain of Henry’s relationship to you gain of Henry’s relationship to Catherine?Catherine?

Religious reasons for Religious reasons for annulmentannulment

Henry expected papal approvalHenry expected papal approval Leviticus supported his claims: ‘thou shall Leviticus supported his claims: ‘thou shall

not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife…they shall be childless’wife…they shall be childless’

Childless could be translated as ‘without Childless could be translated as ‘without sons’sons’

Henry claimed Catherine has consummated Henry claimed Catherine has consummated marriage to Arthur – consanguinity issuesmarriage to Arthur – consanguinity issues

However, Deuteronomy undermined his However, Deuteronomy undermined his claims: “his brother shall take her and raise claims: “his brother shall take her and raise up seed for his (dead) brother”up seed for his (dead) brother”

Read Anne’s letter to Henry dated 1526

(Source D, p.85)– Henry was still married to Catherine. Was she

teasing Henry or trying to put him off? Who was to

blame for fanning the flames of desire?

Your taskYour task

Read p.85-6 including the text boxes.Read p.85-6 including the text boxes. Under the heading, ‘Other reasons for Under the heading, ‘Other reasons for

the annulment’ take notes on the the annulment’ take notes on the reasons why Henry wanted to divorce reasons why Henry wanted to divorce Catherine.Catherine.

How valuable are the love letters How valuable are the love letters between Henry and Anne as a source between Henry and Anne as a source of information on the motivations for of information on the motivations for the annulment?the annulment?

Other reasons for the Other reasons for the annulmentannulment

Infatuation – Catherine was 6 years H8’s Infatuation – Catherine was 6 years H8’s seniorsenior

Concerns over the successionConcerns over the succession Fear of return to chaos of Wars of RosesFear of return to chaos of Wars of Roses Unwillingness to endorse a female rulerUnwillingness to endorse a female ruler Henry had already produced illegitimate Henry had already produced illegitimate

male heir (Henry Fitzroy)male heir (Henry Fitzroy) Precedents for papal annulments, e.g. Louis Precedents for papal annulments, e.g. Louis

XII and Anne of Britanny; Margaret of XII and Anne of Britanny; Margaret of ScotlandScotland

Your taskYour task

Study the sources provided by your Study the sources provided by your teacher from ‘The Early Tudors’ (David teacher from ‘The Early Tudors’ (David Rogerson et al).Rogerson et al).

Study them carefully and decide what Study them carefully and decide what motives they give for the annulment.motives they give for the annulment.

Which sources agree and which Which sources agree and which disagree?disagree?

To what extent was the pope to To what extent was the pope to blame? Look at Source 9c for ideasblame? Look at Source 9c for ideas

Extension taskExtension task

Watch ‘The Last Days of Anne Watch ‘The Last Days of Anne Boleyn’ (BBC, 2013) and write a Boleyn’ (BBC, 2013) and write a review explaining the different views review explaining the different views of Anne’s personality and motives of Anne’s personality and motives proposed by the different historians proposed by the different historians including Dr Susannah Lipscombe & including Dr Susannah Lipscombe & David StarkeyDavid Starkey

This house believes ‘Love’ was the real reason Henry wanted a divorce

Why did Henry Why did Henry ditch Catherine?ditch Catherine?

TBAT identify & evaluate TBAT identify & evaluate reasons for H8’s annulment reasons for H8’s annulment

from CoAfrom CoA

Learning objectives

Key words: annulment canon law consanguinity