Expert: Joseph Logue - 10/1/2008

Question
Who were the opposition that Henry V111 faced to his divorce from Catherine of Aragon

Answer
Hello Simon,

The answer is fairly simple:  the Catholic Church in Rome and its allies.  However, there is a much more difficult answer in that there were plenty of powers who had quarrels with England and used Henry's divorce as an opportunity to quash him.  

First, Catherine's nephew was Charles V -- the Holy Roman Emperor who held vast domains in Europe from the Iberian peninsula, to the Lowlands (today, Belgium and Holland), to central Europe (Austria, Germany).  So while he wanted to stand in unison with his aunt he also wanted Henry defeated on the battlefield.  (When Henry aided Pope Gregory VII in 1527 against the onslaught of Charles V, the Pope named Henry "Defender of the Faith," a title still used by British monarchs.)

France was equally desirous of Henry being a weakened monarch, but chiefly for reasons due to politics.  The French were always looking for a way to make sure that their Channel border was safe from English attack.

Then there were those who challenged Henry because of their deep devotion to the Church, notably Sir Thomas More, the Lord Chancellor.  He felt that no one had the power to contravene God's will in matrimonial matters.  He died for this principal.  Others (including the Duke of Norfolk) lost their titles and fortunes defending the Church.  

This is a fascinating period of study Simon.  I urge you to go to your public library and ask the Reference Librarian for items on the beginnings of the English Reformation.  Thanks for visiting AllExperts.

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue