Anne Boleyn said yes to Henry VIII in 1527, but she didn’t become his queen until 1533.

Why did it take six years?

In this video, I explore the dramatic and complex story of Henry VIII’s “Great Matter” - his attempt to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. What began as a question of conscience soon spiralled into an international crisis involving the Pope, Emperor Charles V, and the balance of power in Europe.

We’ll look at:

• Henry VIII’s biblical arguments 
• Catherine of Aragon’s powerful resistance
• The Legatine Court at Blackfriars and its dramatic collapse
• The downfall of Cardinal Wolsey
• The influence of reformist ideas and Anne Boleyn’s role in shaping them
• The shift from papal authority to royal supre ...