Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: King Henry VIII broke with the Pope after the Pope refused to grant him an annulment of his marriage.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The creation of the Church of England is a central event in both English and religious history. It is linked to the wider Protestant Reformation in Europe but also to personal and political issues in the English royal family. Many exam questions ask what specific development led King Henry VIII to break from the Roman Catholic Church, because this shows how private concerns and state power can reshape religious institutions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Henry VIII wished to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. He sought an annulment from the Pope but did not receive approval. In response, Henry rejected papal authority over the English church and had Parliament pass laws that made the king the supreme head of the Church in England. This political and religious break created a national church separate from Rome. While Luther and other reformers influenced the broader movement, and later events shaped English Protestantism, the direct trigger for the Church of England was Henry's break with the Pope over his marriage.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Henry VIII ruled England in the early sixteenth century and initially remained a Catholic monarch.Step 2: Remember that his desire for an annulment from Catherine of Aragon was denied by the Pope.Step 3: Recognise that in response Henry asserted royal control over the English church through acts of Parliament.Step 4: Examine the options and identify the one that directly mentions Henry's break with the Pope after the refusal of the annulment.Step 5: Reject the idea that Luther's actions in Germany by themselves created the Church of England, because England followed its own path.Step 6: Reject references to the Spanish Armada and Bible translation as direct causes, since these occurred later or had different roles.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of the sequence often taught in history: Henry seeks annulment, the Pope delays and refuses, Henry and Parliament pass the Act of Supremacy, and the Church of England becomes a separate national church. This chain of events is well documented and appears in many school texts. By contrast, the Spanish Armada was a late sixteenth century naval conflict, and Bible translations were part of wider reform but did not in themselves create a new church structure. This confirms that the correct explanation involves Henry's break with Rome over his marriage.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because Martin Luther's posting of the Ninety Five Theses began reform debates in Germany, not in England, and did not automatically create the Church of England. Option C is incorrect because the Spanish Armada was an attempted invasion of England in 1588, long after Henry VIII, and its defeat actually strengthened Protestant England rather than forcing it to become Protestant. Option D is also wrong because Bible translation, although important for religious change, did not alone produce the Church of England without royal and parliamentary action.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes merge different Reformation stories into one, confusing Luther, Calvin, Henry VIII and later English events. Another pitfall is to assume that any important sixteenth century event, such as the Armada, must be the cause of every religious change. To avoid this, keep a clear mental timeline and remember that the immediate cause of the Church of England was Henry's personal and political conflict with the Pope over his marriage.
Final Answer:
The Church of England was created when King Henry VIII broke with the Pope after the Pope refused to grant him an annulment of his marriage.
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