Henry's problems with the Church began when his mistress Elizabeth Blount conceived a healthy son.  The pope would not issue another papal dispensation to declare his marriage void, as that would discredit the first that allowed him to marry Catherine.  Henry then chose to break away from Rome and founded the Church of England.  As Supreme Head of the new religion, Henry was free to divorce Catherine.

Despite the break from Catholicism, little was changed from the old religion to the new; the only difference was simply that "Pope" was omitted from the services.  There was some opposition to this reformation.  A northern uprising, later called the Pilgrimage of Grace, marched 40,000 men through England in protest.  The group was later destroyed  from internal divisions.  Those that were involved were eventually pardoned by King Henry.

After King Henry's death, England's religion swayed back and fourth.  During the short reign of his son, King Edward V1, England was introduced to Lutheran doctrines.  Upon his death, Queen Mary 1, daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry Vlll, restored the union with Rome and was named "Bloody Mary" for her ruthlessness in religious cases.  Queen Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Vlll and Anne Boleyn, brought England back to Protestantism. 

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