Henry the VIII Timeline

Henry VIII's Birth ( https://www.biography.com/royalty/henry-viii )

Jun 29, 1491

Henry VIII was born on June 29th, 1491 at the royal residence, Greenwich Palace, in Greenwich, London, England. He was the son of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth York. He was one of six children, which only three survived: Arthur, Margaret, and Mary. Arthur, the first heir, died of tuberculosis. Throughout his upbringing, he showed a charismatic athleticism and fondness for art, music, and culture. He was very intelligent and was educated by private tutors throughout his childhood.

King Henry VII claims the throne. (https://www.biography.com/royalty/henry-viii)

Jun 24, 1509

Upon Henry's father's death, King Henry VIII had to take over the throne at the young age of 17. Most thought he was too young and unqualified for the position, but he took the throne with pride. He was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 24th, 1509. Shortly after he married Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of the Queen of Spain. Following his coronation, he arrested two of his father's ministers and executed them. The court respected Henry but quickly learned to bow to his every wish.

Henry VIII & Catherine's divorce. ( https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/tudor-england/henrys-divorce-from-catherine/)

Jan 26, 1526

By 1526, Catherine was 42 and unable to conceive. This saddened King Henry VIII as he still did not have a daughter. At this time, he found love with a young mistress; Anne Boleyn. When Catherine found out that Henry VIII wanted an annulment, she was very disappointed and went to the priest to petition for an annulment. This took about six months. Then, they concluded that she would tell them that she and Henry "did not really get married." Finally, they were legally divorced.

Marriage to Anne Boleyn. (https://www.biography.com/royalty/anne-boleyn)

Jan 23, 1533

Although there were many struggles for Anne to become Queen, she was eventually coronated. By the end of 1532, she announced her pregnancy. Sometime during 1533, she and Henry VIII got secretly married. Unfortunately, Anne had given birth to a daughter, Princess Elizabeth. She had tried multiple times to give birth to a son. She knew that without the production of a son her life would be in threat. Henry VIII then took a fancy upon Jane Seymour

Henry VIII: Head of Church. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-VIII-king-of-England)

Nov 22, 1534

In November of 1534, the Act of Supremacy was created. This declared King Henry VIII as the supreme head of the Church of England. This separated the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, which was a major event. Although King Henry was not a Protestant, the separation of the churches was a huge encouragement to Protestants to rise in England.

Execution of Anne/Marriage to Jane Seymour (https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/kings-and-queens-in-profile-jane-seymour/)

May 30, 1536

On May, 2, Anne was arrested for the charges of adultery, incest, and plotting to kill the king. She was sent to a private room, removed her headpiece, and was blindfolded. Her head was then chopped off with one stroke. In September 1535, Henry met Jane. He fell in love and within 24 hours of his previous wife's execution, Henry VIII and Jane were betrothed to one another. On May 30th, they were then married. This is the first wife that Henry VIII truly loved because she gave him a son, Edward.

Marriage to Anne of Cleves/Kathryn Howard (https://www.history.com/news/henry-viii-wives)

Jan 6, 1540

Following Jane's tragic death due to childbirth. Henry VIII was single for two years. Henry VIII mourned for his wife Jane, but by the time of her death people were already trying to play matchmaker for Henry VIII. Anne and Henry VIII were then married on January 6, 1540, but later on, got divorced. At age 49, King Henry married the 19-year-old Lady in Waiting of his previous wife, Anne of Cleves. Her name was Kathryn Howard, and the two married only sixteen days after King Henry divorced Anne.

Kathryn's Execution. (https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/catherine-howard/#gs.gmz38i)

Feb 13, 1542

Within less than a year of marriage, rumors about Kathryn began to spread. In November 1541, there was enough evidence to report to the King. The King did not believe this and launched further investigations. These investigations found that Kathryn had been promiscuous before her marriage, and had affairs during the marriage. Kathryn was executed on the Tower Green on February 13, 1542, and laid to rest near her cousin Anne Boleyn in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London.

Marriage to Katherine Parr (https://www.history.com/news/henry-viii-wives)

Jul 12, 1543

Katherine's mother was the Lady in Waiting to King Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and she was even named after Catherine, she was a smart lady, which was rare during this time. Before King Henry, Katherine was married two times, and each time she was widowed. With her two stepchildren to take care of, Kathrine wanted to mare Jane Seymour's brother, Thomas. When the King asked for her hand in marriage, she felt it was her duty to the country to accept.

Henry VIII Death. (https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/where-did-king-henry-viii-live-and-die)

Jan 28, 1547

Henry VIII died at age 55 on January 28, 1547. Though he died from natural causes, his health was poor. He had become obese ( almost 400lbs) and the leg wound from his jousting accident had become badly infected.