English History

Last Queen of England (Matilda)

Jul 1, 1135

Daughter of Henry I and was queen during the civil war known as the Anarchy (1135-1154). Leads Henry to become obsessed with having a male heir, as it seems as though women are incapable of holding the position of a monarch and would coonsequently leave his dynasty in tatters

Canterbury Tales

Jul 1, 1478

Addressed abuses of the Church and the clergy; formed the basis for several attacks on the Church and was used to represent a popular feeling of anticlericalism in the 16th Century.

Henry VII takes the throne by force

Aug 22, 1485

He was 4th in line to the throne but took the crown in the Battle of Bosworth. He was consequently seen as a 'usurper' king by many, casting doubt over both his reign and Henry VIII's, leading him to become obsessive over eliminating competition for the throne and having a strong, undisputed heir to his throne.

Henry VIII born

Jun 28, 1491

Born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York and had 3 siblings who survived infancy - Arthur, Margaret and Mary

Anne Boleyn born

Jul 1, 1501

To Thomas (a rising member of the gentry and served as a diplomat in Henry's government) and Elizabeth Boleyn (her father - 2nd Duke of Norfolk - and her brother - Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke and the most powerful noble in England and member of King's Council and Court). Siblings: George and Mary.

CoA marries for the first time

Nov 14, 1501

To Arthur, Henry VIII's brother. Her parents were Ferdinand and Isabella, who raised her on fervent Catholicism, military triumph and the Spanish Inquisition. Arthur and Catherine were paired together and married when she was 16. William Warham arranges the marriage.

Arthur dies

Apr 2, 1502

CoA is widowed and Henry VIII is no longer the 'spare not the heir', rather the heir to the English throne. CoA had to choose whether to marry again in England or return to Spain - a new marriage to Henry, however, required a dispensation. There were two of these - one stated that Arthur and CoA's marriage had been consummated and the Spanish did another to cover all bases, in case Arthur and CoA had not slept together.

William Warham becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

Nov 29, 1503

At the same time as becoming Lord Chancellor

Pope Julius II allows Henry to marry CoA

Dec 1, 1503

He issues a dispensation allowing their marriage, despite Catherine having previously been briefly married to Henry's brother Arthur. CoA maintained that she had remained a virgin for the six months of the marriage. Henry would later insist that this dispensation should never have been issued when arguing the validity of a marriage to Anne.

John Fisher becomes the Bishop of Rochester

Oct 14, 1504

Given the poorest diocese in England, usually seen as a first step on an ecclesiastical career. Nonetheless, Fisher stayed there, presumably by his own choice/lack of wordly ambition or possibly due to his rumoured incompetency in politics, for the remaining 31 years of his life

Isabella, Queen of Castile, dies

Nov 26, 1504

Henry VIII consequently halted his marriage to CoA as after her mother's death, Catherine was devalued as a royal princess so their marriage would be on personal terms as she no longer unites England with Castile/Aragon

Henry VII dies

Apr 22, 1509

Henry VIII becomes King as he is heir to the throne

Henry VIII and CoA marry

Jun 11, 1509

He did this as he wanted Ferdinand as an ally against France as well as CoA being a youthful, attractive woman and this marriage proved he was now an adult. Married and crowned by William Warham.

William Melton's Exhortation

Jul 1, 1510

The Chancellor of York wrote 'Sermo Exhortatorius', complaining that too many priests were rude and ignorant.

Henry VIII executes his father's advisors

Aug 17, 1510

Executes his father's two closest advisors, Empson and Dudley, in an attempt to distance himself from his predecessor's unpopular rule and reduce the risk of rebellion.

CoA gives birth to Henry

Jan 1, 1511

It seemed Henry now had an heir to the throne, but his son died after only 52 days.

Richard Hunne case

Period: Mar 1, 1511 to Feb 1, 1515

Demonstrates the wider, long-term criticisms and abuses of the Church of England.

Wolsey becomes a member of the Privy Council

Jul 1, 1511

Allowed him to impose a degree of influence over Henry.

Henry VIII joins the Holy League

Oct 13, 1511

Joins along with Venice and Spain in an attempt to defend the Papacy from its enemies and France with military force

John Colet sermon

Feb 6, 1512

Humanist scholar preaches a sermon before Convocation, addressing his issues with the Church. He claimed too many of the clergy were unduly ambitious, striving to ascend the ecclesiastical hierarchy in order to obtain greater powers. A general, traditional and exaggerated attack, which would have been more concerning if Colet was a layman rather than the Dean of St Paul.

Henry VIII executes Edmund de la Pole

Apr 30, 1513

de la Pole had a theoretically strong claim to the throne so Henry had him executed - eliminating threats

Henry goes to fight in France

Jun 11, 1513

Significant as CoA left as regent to rule England whilst Henry was gone. Organises the defeat of Scots at the Battle of Flodden (9th Sept), showing her political astuteness as well as her excellence as queen

Battle of the Spurs

Aug 16, 1513

England and the Holy Roman Emperor are victorious over France. An example of Henry winning victories in France for the first time in 80 years, putting England back on the strategic and military map of Europe.

CoA gives birth twice more

Nov 1, 1513

She names the son Henry, but he dies within a matter of hours. The fact that CoA can conceive so easily but struggle to give birth to healthy children suggested to the English public that the marriage between Henry and CoA was illegitimate (Leviticus verse - “If a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is an impurity; he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless”).

Wolsey appointed the Archbishop of York

Jul 1, 1514

Due to nominally holding the second most important clerical position in England, he had immense power within the Church. He, however, never visited the diocese until the month of his death. An absentee bishop for almost the entire period of his office - neglected his ecclesiastical duties whilst he was caught up in governmental affairs.

Friar Standish attacks the Benefit of the Clergy

Jul 1, 1515

Attacked the benefit of clergy, backed by Parliament. He was consequently attacked by the bishops (Convocation accused him of heresy) and Henry had to be called in to give his verdict on the dispute. This opened up a debate on the power of the Church and the State. Henry reached a compromise - he didn't allow charges to be pressed against Standish but did not renew the 1512 Act of Parliament restricting the benefit of clergy. He implied through this that he was head of the CofE

Wolsey appointed a Cardinal

Jul 1, 1515

By Pope Leo X. This gave him precedence over even the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Wolsey appointed Lord Chancellor

Jul 1, 1515

Upon Warham's resignation (most likely a result of pressure from both Wolsey and Henry). In this role he earned the nickname 'Alter Rex' (meaning 'other king') due to the freedom he enjoyed and the sheer influence he imposed on Henry's decisions.

Mary I is born

Feb 18, 1516

Despite his evident disappointment, Henry VIII said that if it were a girl this time then surely boys would follow.

More publishes his book 'Utopia'

Jul 1, 1516

Utopia is a work of satire, indirectly criticizing Europe's political corruption and religious hypocrisy. More was a Catholic Humanist. Alongside his close friend, the philosopher and writer Erasmus, More saw Humanism as a way to combine faith and reason. Indirect attack on Luther.

Mary Tudor promised to the Dauphin

Jul 1, 1518

When she was only 2, Henry negotiated a future marriage to the future heir of the French throne to try and build alliances. The contract was repudiated after 3 years however

Wolsey made Papal Legate

Jul 1, 1518

By Pope Leo X on Henry's existence. This meant he was the Pope's representative in England and could exercise close to the same powers as the Pope himself. Through this, he was able to work for the Pope's desire in the Treaty of London.

Treaty of London

Oct 1, 1518

Wolsey secured the signing of the Treaty, in which a massive peace summit involving 20 nations was organised, This put England at the forefront of European diplomacy and drew her out of isolation, making her a desireable ally (illustrated by the Anglo-French treaty signed 2 days later). A non-aggression pact and regarded as Wolsey's finest moment.

CoA's last pregnancy

Nov 10, 1518

In February 1518, Catherine announced her sixth pregnancy. In March, she visited Merton College, Oxford and also made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Frideswide, asking for a healthy son. She gave birth to a daughter, but the child was weak and only survived a few hours.

Henry Fitzroy born

Jun 15, 1519

The illegitimate son of Henry VIII and Elizabeth Blount - he was the only illegitimate child Henry acknowledged

Wolsey calls a meeting on the topic of church reform

Jul 1, 1519

Invites bishops to a meeting on the improvement of functioning of the clergy. Later the same year, he assembled leaders of the regular clergy to be given a similar lecture.

Monastic dissolutions of the 1520s

Period: Jan 1, 1520 to Dec 31, 1529

Also known as the 'Little Dissolution'. Wolsey dissolved 29 small monastic houses, appropriating the revenue to support the foundation of an Oxford college and an Ipswich grammar school. He dissolved them due to their 'decay' (i.e. no longer viable due to the decline in the number of nuns/monks living in them). Carried out legally and with papal permission.

Field of the Cloth of Gold

Period: Jun 7, 1520 to Jun 24, 1520

A summit between Henry VIII and Francis I of France. The summit was arranged to increase the bond of friendship between the two kings following the Anglo-French treaty of 1514. They held a series of lavish engagements during this summit, each king trying to out-do each other with dazzling tents and clothes, huge feasts, music, jousting and games

Wolsey organises a public bonfire of Luther's books

Jun 15, 1520

At St. Paul's Cross where John Fisher preached against Luther's errors. Happened twice - once in 1520, and again in 1526.

Duke of Buckingham executed

May 17, 1521

Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, accused of listening to prophecies of the King's death and intending to kill the King after discussing who would succeed the King. Convicted of treason and executed at the Tower. A possible claimant to his throne extinguished - diminishing his opposition

Henry publishes ''The Defence of the Seven Sacraments'

Jul 1, 1521

In response to Martin Luther's attack on indulgences and dedicated to Pope Leo X, who in turn awarded Henry the title of 'Defender of the Faith' in October 1521. Shows Henry's devotion to the Roman Catholic faith and his piety.

Wolsey holds a conference of theologians

Jul 1, 1521

Invited a group of Oxford theologians to speak out and condemn heresy

Anne Boleyn returns to England

Dec 1, 1521

Returns from the French courts, with an initial plan to marry an Irish earl. This fell through, possibly due to her attachment to Henry Percy (Earl of Northumberland's son), which also fell through in 1525.

Mary contracted to marry Charles V

Jul 1, 1522

The engagement to her 22 year-old cousin was broken off within a few years, however, by Charles with Henry's agreement

William Tyndale ordained

Jul 1, 1522

Luther publishes German New Testament

Jul 1, 1522

Translated it from Latin into German. Sparks a chain reaction - Tyndale goes on to translate it into English. Viewed as a heretical action as the Bible was only meant to be written in Latin and read by clergymen. By translating it, it allowed a more prominent consumption of the text by laymen, compromising the Church's power and making the practices of the Church vulnerable to attacks by those who interpreted it differently.

Anne Boleyn joins CoA's maids

Jul 1, 1523

This introduces Henry VIII to Anne. Henry had also previosly had an affair with her sister, Mary.

More appointed Speaker of the House

Jul 1, 1523

On Wolsey's recommendation, the House of Commons elected More its Speaker

Wolsey is appointed the Bishop of Durham

Jul 1, 1523

In tribute to the success of his campaign in France and subsequent peace negotiations. This demonstrates just how much Wolsey's ecclesiastical career was advancing.

Cardinal Medici elected Pope Clement VII

Nov 19, 1523

Wolsey given the title of Papal Legate for life

Jul 1, 1524

By being given this prestigious position, his income increased by 8%.

Medical advisors say CoA can no longer conceive

Jul 1, 1524

No hope of Henry receiving a male heir from Catherine, thus getting the balling rolling for the King's Great Matter as Henry realises he will have to remarry in order to get a male heir

Henry makes Henry Fitzroy the Duke of Richmond

Jun 18, 1525

An attempt by Henry to make him legitimate and threaten Mary's claim to the throne. A tactical move by Henry during the King's Great Matter to oppose both CoA and Mary. CoA shocked in Henry's openness over a child that was meant to be a secret. It was suggested by the Aragonese faction that he marry his own half-sister Mary in order to prevent the annulment. Anxious to prevent the annulment and the Break with Rome, the Pope was prepared to grant a special dispensation for their marriage.

Mary I sent to Ludlow

Jul 1, 1525

In 1525, aged nine, Mary was sent to Ludlow in the Marches of Wales, to preside over the Council of Wales and the Marches. This acknowledged her status as heiress to the English throne.

Negotiations to marry Mary with King Francis I of France

Jul 1, 1525

Wolsey resumed marriage negotiations with the French, and Henry suggested that Mary marry the Dauphin's father, King Francis I, who was eager for an alliance with England. A marriage treaty was signed which provided that Mary marry either Francis or his second son Henry, Duke of Orleans, despite French questions over the legitimacy of Mary. Wolsey, however, secured an alliance with France without the marriage.

Amicable Grant

Oct 1, 1525

Henry spent a huge amount of money fighting wars (French wars specifically) so the 'Amicable Grant' tax was established by Wolsey to raise funds for an invasion of France whilst Francis I was captured by Charles V. 1/10th to 1/6th levy on the goods of the laity and 1/3rd of the clergy's goods. Passed illegally (not through Parliament) so the legal framework for its collection was extremely weak. Consequently, there was a rebellion and refusal to pay. Contributed to Wolsey's downfall.

Shrovetide festivities

Feb 7, 1526

Henry makes a coded announcement of his intentions to wed Anne

Tyndale's New Testament published

Jul 1, 1526

Purpose of allowing the average 'plough boy' to consume and interpret the unfltered word of God for himself. Through this, attacks and criticisms of the Church would become more prominent and with a higher chance of being recognised and reformed.

King's Great Matter begins

May 1, 1527

Henry calls Cardinal Wolsey to his aid, having convinced himself at this point that in marrying his brother's wife he had acted contrary to Leviticus 20:21

King's Great Matter

Period: May 1, 1527 to Jan 25, 1533

Henry's pursuit to marry Anne Boleyn and consequently prove his marriage to Catherine invalid in order to annul it. Leads to the Break with Rome, the English Reformation and ultimately the Dissolution of the Monasteries

Sack of Rome

May 6, 1527

Results in Charles V having Clement VII as a virtual prisoner

Wolsey calls ecclesiastical court

Jul 1, 1527

Tries to validate Henry's divorce to CoA and largest problem is whether her marriage to Arthur was consummated, due to the power and rule of the Church. CoA blamed Wolsey for the ensuing annulment crisis. CoA confident the annulment would not go through as Henry had to get the marriage annulled by the Pope or one of his representatives (and had support of most powerful ruler in Europe, her nephew Charles V)

Clement VII imprisoned by Charles V

Jul 1, 1527

This prevented the Pope from annulling Henry and CoA's marriage (his aunt) - leading to the English Reformation

Wolsey and Gardiner's French Mission

Jul 1, 1527

On orders from an anxious Henry, Wolsey went on a diplomatic mission to France to secure an alliance with Francis as well as gain support for Henry's idea to divorce Catherine. Leads to the the Treaty of Amiens, however the French were not persuaded on matters of the divorce as they had very recently fought a war with England

Henry applies to Rome for a dispensation

Aug 1, 1527

Applies for a dispensation to marry Anne when he was 'free', despite earlier relations with her sister. In going public, any hope of tempting Catherine to retire to a nunnery or stay quiet was gone

Treaty of Amiens

Aug 18, 1527

Protecting the privileges of English merchants who traded in France, this treaty was one in a series made between Francis I and Henry VIII. Anglo-French relations between 1525 and 1535 were the warmest they had been since the loss of Gascony. England allied itself with France in August 1525, and the alliance was renewed seven years later. Nevertheless, relations between England and France quickly deteriorated following Henry's replacement of the Pope as head of the English church.

Clement VII commissions 2 legates to hear Henry's case

Mar 1, 1528

Cardinal Wolsey and Campeggio (Cardinal Protector of England) to hear Henry's case. Clement's priority at this point was Italy where Charles V was dominant after his army sacked Rome in May 1527. Appeared to allow a final decision on the case to be made in England instead of Rome - the compromise being that they had to accept the judgement jointly reached by the appointed legates. Seemed to be no problem as Henry worked with Wolsey in the ToL and Campeggio was already in Henry's pay as a bishop.

Anne introduces 'The Obedience of a Christian Man' to Henry

Jul 1, 1528

A heretical text by William Tyndale, a heretic, which was banned in England at the time but Henry found pieces from the text that would support his argument in the divorce campaign and the Break with Rome. He proclaimed that the book was 'for me and all kings to read'

Gardiner and Foxe's Roman Mission

Jul 1, 1528

Sent to Rome to plead Henry's case and offer bribes in return for the support of key players. However, the Pope was recently a prisoner of Charles V and had a fear of displeasing him. Additionally, many powerful figures in Rome were left unconvinced by the legality of Henry's case and the political sense in supporting it.

The Obedience of a Christian Man published

Jul 1, 1528

Written by Willian Tyndale, a Lutheran heretic who had been exiled in Europe since 1524. A repost to More's writings accusing Tyndale and Lutherans of stirring up rebellion and refuting More's assertion that the Church and state were separate. Said to have influenced the 1534 Act of Supremacy

Campeggio arrives in England

Sep 29, 1528

As a papal legate in the divorce case

Meeting at Bridewell Palace

Nov 8, 1528

Henry summonds the court and nobility to hear his reasons for pursuing a divorce. He made a public declaration praising 'the great worthiness' of Catherine, even stating that 'if he were to marry again he would marry her of all women, if the marriage were to be found good & lawful'. Stated he was 'wonderfully tormented by his conscience' and understood that 'he had lived all this time in detestable and abominable adultery'

Supplication of the Beggars published

Feb 2, 1529

An appeal to Henry to take action against corruption within the church, venting the popular anger at the church. Thomas More wrote a reply to the book in two of his own books - 'The Supplication of the Souls' - in which he responded to Fish's social and economic criticisms of the curch

Blackfriars Legatine Court opens

May 31, 1529

Opens after Anne pushes for it following the Pope's reserved final decision on Wolsey and Campeggio's hearing and orders to Campeggio to delay the process.

Blackfriars Legatine Court opens

May 31, 1529

Formal proceedings began into Henry VIII’s case for an annulment at a special legatine court presided over by Cardinal Wolsey and Cardinal Campeggio (appointed by Pope). Had been a 7 month delay prior to the opening of the court, causing Henry to lose faith in both Campeggio and Wolsey. Campeggio interviewed both Henry and Catherine separately before conducting the case in open session.

Catherine and Henry summoned to the Legatine Court

Jun 18, 1529

She refused its right to hear the case on the grounds that the environment was hostile, the judges were prejudiced and that court proceedings should not take place whilst the case was still pending at Rome. The judges confirmed that her protest would be addressed on the 21st. This action proved Catherine was not going down without a fight

Henry and Catherine appear at the Legatine court

Jun 21, 1529

Catherine gives a passionate speech at the knees of Henry, arguing her case and immediately walks out the court afterwards, leaving the court in stunned silence. Catherine then refuses to attend the court again

Catherine charged with contempt of court

Jun 25, 1529

For refusing to attend court when summoned. Henry urges the case to continue without her and Campeggio reluctantly agrees.

Legatine Court adjourned

Jul 31, 1529

Campeggio suspends proceedings for a summer recess but it soon becomes clear that it will not sit again, seeing as nothing was being achieved in the absence of Catherine. On Wolsey's insistence, he agrees to reconvene the court in October. Henry soon realises Campeggio would never reach a verdict and was deliberately prolonging proceedings as much as possible, however, and scraps this idea

Wolsey and Henry VIII fall out

Aug 1, 1529

Wolsey's attempts at securing the divorce are consistently failing and Henry is unhappy with his efforts. Anne and her faction convince Henry that Wolsey is deliberately slowing proceedings.

Stephen Gardiner appointed King's Secretary

Aug 1, 1529

He had already been archdeacon of Taunton for several years. The archdeaconries of Worcester and of Norfolk were also added to a list of pluralities before November 1529 and in March 1530 respectively; in April 1531 he resigned all three for that of Leicester.

Treaty of Cambrai

Aug 3, 1529

Agreement between Charles V and Francis I to end one phase of the wars they had been fighting. Fearful of Charles' growing power, England, Venice and Pope Clement switched their alliances from the Holy Roman Emperor to Francis. This treaty left England isolated and the probability of Henry gaining a favourable decision from the Legatine court became very slim

The Pope recalls Campeggio

Sep 1, 1529

And summons the case to Rome instead of England

Reformation Parliament

Period: Sep 1, 1529 to Jan 4, 1536

Called in 1529 and ended up being used by Cromwell and Henry to pass laws restricting papal powers by recognising that there powers in fact resided in the Crown and to implement punishments for those who refused to comply with the new arrangements. Reformed the Church of England and led to the Break with Rome

The clergy's legal privileges removed

Oct 1, 1529

The first act passed by the Reformation Parliament revoked the English clergy's privilege of only being subject to canon law and canon courts. The act made sure they were tried the same way as everyone else in England and not tried favourably by courts.

Wolsey arrested

Nov 4, 1529

For slow proceedings of the divorce with CoA, stripped of all property and power yet permitted to remain the Archbishop of York (even though he was an absentee archbishop)

More becomes Lord Chancellor

Dec 1, 1529

On Wolsey's fall, More succeeded to the office of Lord Chancellor

Years of Drift

Period: Jan 1, 1530 to Dec 31, 1531

The divorce campaign was conducted aimlessly and tediously during this period, as there was no clear strategy. Mainly the fault of Henry but also his leading 3 ministers (Dukes of Norfolk/Suffolk & Earl of Wiltshire), who between them had very little political acumen. More as the Chancellor delayed proceedings as he was apathetic to the issue and devoted to the Pope. This all gave way to the rise of Cromwell.

Involvement and bribery of theologians

Period: Jan 1, 1530 to Dec 31, 1531

Henry made a concerted effort during this period to secure formal 'judgements' on the divorce case from the most prestigious universities of Europe. He/his associates bribed them to vote in his favour yet only 10 verdicts were obtained (less than half). The overall impact of this was minimal considering that it was widely known that corruption was the root cause of their decisions.

Simon Fish arrested for heresy

Jul 1, 1530

Radical, Lutheran reformer who wrote the 'Supplication of the Beggars', a banned text despite being read by Henry. Died in 1531

The Sufficiently Full Collections published

Jul 1, 1530

'Collectanea Satis Capiosa' was a collection of manuscripts and old legal documents compiled by Henry's closest advisors (Edward Foxe and Cranmer) that supported Henry's annulment and the fact that it ought to be decided in England

Charge of praemunire against the clergy

Jul 1, 1530

A charge laid against 15 senior clergymen for having recognised Wolsey as Papal Legate over the Crown of England. A way to legally punish Wolsey for his failure in th King's Great Matter. The first challenge to papal authority and assertion of royal rights and authority over the English clergy.

Wolsey dies

Nov 29, 1530

He travelled to Yorkshire for the first time in his career, but at Cawood in North Yorkshire, he was accused of treason and ordered to London by Henry Percy. He set out for the capital and fell ill on the journey, and died at Leicester

Gardiner awarded the bishopric of Winchester

Nov 1, 1531

In 1530, the King demanded the procurement of a decision of Cambridge University as to the unlawfulness of marriage with a deceased brother's wife, in accordance with the new plan devised for settling the KGM without the pope's intervention. In this Gardiner succeeded. In November 1531 the king rewarded him with the post, vacant since Wolsey's death.

Supplication against the Ordinaries & the Act of Submission of the Clergy

Jan 1, 1532

A group of MPs petitioned to Henry to take action against the abuses the clergy and their special powers and status, particularly their legal power (the Supplication). Henry presented convocation with a series of specific demands, formalised in the Submission of the Clergy. The church lost it centuries' old independence and was powerless to any further attack by Henry. It also recognised Henry as the 'Supreme Head of the Church'.

Cromwell begins to exert significant influence over Henry

Mar 1, 1532

He is influencing elections to the House of Commons and playing a huge role in the decisions of the Reformation Parliament proceedings. Is acting as the King's Chief Minister in many ways

Act in Restraint of Annates

Jul 1, 1532

Senior clergy had to pay 1/3 of their parish income to Rome in their 1st year of office. By this act, all but 5% of this was banned from going to Rome. This act was more of a bargaining tool in the divorce campaign, however.

More resigns as Lord Chancellor

Jul 1, 1532

Henry grants his wish after More cited his failing health. However, it may have been the growing disillusionment with the Church within politics that made him to feel unbearably uncomfortable holding his position as it was another matter of principle over which he could not agree with Henry (especially considering the Submission of the Clergy that had just been passed).

Henry and Francis meet

Nov 1, 1532

In order to arrange Francis' assistance in pressuring Pope Clement VII to pronounce Henry's marriage to CoA invalid

Anne Boleyn becomes pregnant

Dec 1, 1532

Out of wedlock, so Henry and Anne must marry quickly to avoid any disapproval from the fervently Christian public. This is the factor that drives the final divorce decision and break with Rome.

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn marry

Jan 25, 1533

As soon as possible after discovering Anne was pregnant

Act in Restraint of Appeals

Mar 1, 1533

Ended the Papacy's right to act as a final court of appeal in English law cases. It became praemunire (treason) to appeal to any authority outside of England. The power to appeal to canon law/the Pope transferred to the Archbishop of Canterbury (Cranmer). Cranmer used this power to declare the original dispensation for Henry's marriage to CoA invalid. Seen as the act that gave the formal separation from Rome and the basis for the Act of Supremacy.

Thomas Cranmer consecrated as the Arch. of Canterbury

Mar 30, 1533

The apppointment had been secured on 1st October 1532, after the death of William Warham, by the Boleyn family. This announcement caused great surprise as Cranmer had only previously held minor positions within the Church.

Cranmer declares Henry and CoA's marriage invalid

May 23, 1533

Through the Restraint of Appeals Act

The Holy Maid of Kent prophesies

May 24, 1533

On the announcement of the divorce, she publicly prophesied that within a month Henry would cease to be King. This left people to decide whether she was inciting people to overthrow him or simply saying that he would be struck down by God. This prophecy imposed imminent danger of widespread public disturbances and she was swiftly arrested and forced to announce at St. Paul's Church that her words were a hoax

Cranmer pronounces Henry and Anne's marriage lawful

May 28, 1533

Immediately after invalidating Henry's marriage to CoA

Anne anointed Queen of England

Jun 1, 1533

By Thomas Cranmer

Act of Succession

Jan 1, 1534

Officially declared Henry and Catherine's marriage invalid. Made Mary illegitimate and secured the succession of Henry and Anne's children. To verbally deny this was now treason.

Act of Attainder passed against the Holy Maid of Kent

Jan 1, 1534

Act passed against her and her closest associates (including Bishop John Fisher) by Parliament. She and 5 of these were imprisoned in the Tower, excluding John Fisher as he was able to purchase his freedom for a small fine

Henry confirms Cromwell as his Chief Minister

Apr 1, 1534

Holy Maid of Kent executed

Apr 20, 1534

She and her associates hanged and beheaded for treason and her head put on a spike at London Bridge (the only female in history to accord such a dishonour)

Act of First Fruit & Tenths

Jul 1, 1534

This act stopped the 1/3 of first year's income and 10% of their income thereafter of the senior clergy going to Rome and reverted the money to the new CofE, headed by Henry and the Crown. Led to a 40% increase in royal revenue.

Act forbidding Papal Dispensation & Peter's Pence

Jul 1, 1534

Stopped the clergy from ignoring or making departures from canon law and no more appeals were to be made to the Papacy for dispensations in legal cases - these would be redirected to the Archbishop of Canerbury. Additionally, the penny in tax every household in England had to pay every year to the Pope was ended.

The complete Bible is published in German

Jul 1, 1534

Thanks to the work of Luther. Believed in the concept of 'sola scripture'.

Clement VII dies

Sep 25, 1534

It is said that he died of poisoning, but the symptoms and length of illness do not support this theory. He was succeeded by Pope Paul III

Act of Supremacy and the Oath of Supremacy

Nov 1, 1534

Stated that Henry 'justly and rightly is and ought to be' the 'Supreme Head of the Church of England'. It was treason to deny this. The Oath accepting this had to be taken by all clergy, signing their formal obedience to Henry instead of the Pope

Act of Treason

Dec 1, 1534

Listed treasonable crimes which would incur the death penalty, including calling the King/Queen a heretic and defining treason as spoken word as well as actions. Invoked to arrest and convict Bishop John Fisher and Thomas More.

The Pope makes Bishop John Fisher a Cardinal Priest

May 1, 1535

In the hope of inducing Henry to ease Fisher's treatment. However, the effect was precisely the reverse. Henry forbade the cardinal's hat to be brought into England, declaring that he would send the head to Rome instead. In June a special commission for Fisher's trial was issued.

Bishop John Fisher charged with treason

Jun 17, 1535

Charged due to denying that the king was the Supreme Head of the Church of England [Oath of Succession]. Since he had been deprived of his position of Bishop of Rochester by the Act of Attainder, he was treated as a commoner, and tried by jury. The only testimony was that of Richard Rich. John Fisher was found guilty and condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn.

Bishop John Fisher executed

Jun 22, 1535

A public outcry was brewing among the London populace who saw a sinister irony in the parallels between the conviction of Fisher and that of his patronal namesake. For fear of John Fisher's living through his patronal feast day (the Nativity of St John the Baptist on 24 June) and attracting too much public sympathy, King Henry commuted the beheading to be accomplished before 23 June, the Vigil of St John. This only created yet another parallel with that of the beheaded Saint

Valor Ecclesiasticus ordered by Cromwell

Jul 1, 1535

He ordered a vast financial survey of all church property and assets, which would show wealthy and 'land rich' (1/3) the church was.

Cromwell passes the Order for Preachers

Jul 1, 1535

This prevented priests from preaching against any of the new practices of the church. Passed under his new-found power as Vicar General

More indicted on high treason

Jul 1, 1535

Charged for not swearing the Oath of Succession, thereby denying Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church. He did not, however, obstinantly refuse this, meaning gathering the evidence to convict him proved time-consuming and difficult. Richard Rich gave the only testimony in court - his argument was extremely dubious, as he testified that More confessed his opposition to Henry as Head of the Church in a private meeting in his cell in the Tower that could not be corroborated by anyone else

More executed

Jul 6, 1535

He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered (the usual punishment for traitors who were not the nobility), but the King commuted this to execution by decapitation

Cromwell passes a series of injunctions

Jan 1, 1536

The most revolutionary being that the Bible in English would become the official Bible of the Church of England

Anne miscarries

Jan 1, 1536

Henry was knocked unconscious in a tournament, a worrying incident that Anne believed led to her miscarriage five days later. Another possible cause was an incident where Anne saw Jane Seymour sitting on Henry's lap and flew into a rage. Anne miscarried the baby on the day of CoA's funeral. According to Eustace Chapuys, the baby "seemed to be a male child". This loss was the beginning of the end of the royal marriage.

CoA dies

Jan 7, 1536

The King and Anne were overjoyed. The following day, they wore yellow, the symbol of joy and celebration in England, from head to toe, and celebrated Catherine's death with festivities.

Anne arrested

May 2, 1536

Taken to the Tower of London

Anne and George Boleyn tried

May 15, 1536

Tried separately. Anne accused of adultery, incest (with her brother) and treason. Adultery by a queen was seen as treason in addition to the supposed treason of Anne plotting Henry's death so that she could later marry Henry Norris. Henry Percy sat on the jury that found Anne unanimously guilty. George was convicted of incest hours after Anne's verdict as well as plotting to kill Henry. Despite putting up a 'magnificent defence', George was found guilty on a mere assumption

George and 4 others beheaded

May 17, 1536

George's long scaffold speech was primarily concerned with defending his religious beliefs and his passion for reform. It was not the honourable thing to deny guilt once a guilty verdict had been given in a court of law, and therefore he followed the conventions of the day by admitting he was a sinner deserving of death

Anne beheaded

May 19, 1536

Second Act of Succession

Jun 1, 1536

Superseded the First Act and branded both Mary and Elizabeth illegitimate and therefore having no claim to the throne

Cromwell appointed Vicegerent-in-Spirituals

Jul 18, 1536

Became in charge of the day-to-day running of the church and could now exercise all powers that legally belonged to the King.

Lincolnshire Rising

Period: Oct 2, 1536 to Oct 14, 1536

A brief rising by Roman Catholics against the establishment of the Church of England. A force of 40,000 was said to be involved in the march on Lincoln. On the 14th, Lincoln Cathedral was occupied but the protest effectively ended on the 4th when Henry ordered them to disperse or face the forces of the Duke of Suffolk. This word of warning ended the rising. The 2 main leaders were arrested and executed for treason.

Tyndale burned at the stake

Oct 6, 1536

His last words were 'Lord, open the King of England' eyes'. Convicted of heresy

Pilgrimage of Grace

Period: Oct 13, 1536 to Oct 1, 1537

A popular revolt in Yorkshire protesting Henry's Break with the RCC, the Dissolution of the Monasteries and Cromwell's policies. Involved 30,000 people and immediately followed the failed Lincolnshire rising.

Great Bible published and Latin Bibles banned

Jan 1, 1539

It was officially recognised in 1536 but published 3 years later. It was the Bible translated to the vernacular, which was previously heresy (to read the Bible in English), by the heretic Tyndale. In a complete flip of events, the Latin Bible was banned.

Third Succession Act

Jul 1, 1543

Superseded the previous 2 acts and made Mary and Elizabeth legitimate again but holding a claim to the throne behind his male son, Edward. He did this due to his growing concern over the future of his dynasty.

Siege of Boulogne

Period: Jul 19, 1544 to Sep 18, 1544

Ends in an English victory

Edward Hall's Chronicle published

Jan 1, 1548

Details the reign of Henry VIII, specifically the Reformation Parliament, giving a description of the key acts and the reasons for them being passed. Not a balanced account, as Hall was a friend of Cromwell and his approach may have been influenced by prospective political promotions by Henry/Cromwell for writing in their favour. Justifies the Parliament's actions as driven by popular desires instead of Henry's personal, selfish motives.

Edward Hall's Chronicle published

Jan 1, 1548

Details the reign of Henry VIII, specifically the Reformation Parliament, giving a description of the key acts and the reasons for them being passed. Not a balanced account, as Hall was a friend of Cromwell and his approach may have been influenced by prospective political promotions by Henry/Cromwell for writing in their favour. Justifies the Parliament's actions as driven by popular desires instead of Henry's personal, selfish motives.