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King Henry divorced
two out of his six wives. England did not take part in the
reformation for religious reasons, but for political reasons. As the
Catholic church did not allow divorces, Henry had to find different ways
to dispense of his unwanted wives. Divorce was the kindest of his
few options.
When Henry dubbed
himself Supreme Head of the Church, parliament was able to validate his
marriage to Anne Boleyn, thereby nullifying his marriage with Catherine of
Aragon. Their daughter Mary was then judged to be illegitimate.
Later on, Henry also had his marriage to Anne of Cleaves annulled,
claiming that it was never consummated and that she was already engaged to
another noblemen.
The woman Henry
divorced also lost their title of Queen, and were usually sent away to
live in isolation away from the life of the court.
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