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Lesson 3 of 6
Henry VIII and the King's Great Matter
I can explain why Henry VIII became dissatisfied with the Roman Catholic Church.
Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
Henry VIII and the King's Great Matter
I can explain why Henry VIII became dissatisfied with the Roman Catholic Church.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Henry VIII trying to get a divorce from Catherine of Aragon was known as the 'King's Great Matter'.
- Henry wished to marry Anne Boleyn because he needed a son for an heir.
- The Church did not want to give Henry an annulment.
- The failure of Wolsey to secure an annulment led to his fall from power.
Keywords
Heir - a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another when that person dies
Annulment - to declare something invalid
Common misconception
Kings have the power to do whatever they want in their own countries.
For a great deal of English history, the power of the kings has been restricted by English laws and religious laws issued by the pope in Rome.
A class debate can be organised regarding whether or not the failure of Wolsey to secure an annulment should have led to his downfall. Give students a side to argue for and provide them with evidence to support that opinion, then allow students to hear each others' arguments and respond to them.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes someone who tries to change and improve something, such as a religion?
Which keyword describes someone who tries to change and improve something, such as a religion?
Q2.Which keyword describes a Christian who believes that the pope has authority over the Church?
Which keyword describes a Christian who believes that the pope has authority over the Church?
Q3.Which of the following words describes the idea that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist became the body and blood of Christ, whilst also remaining bread and wine?
Which of the following words describes the idea that the bread and wine used in the Eucharist became the body and blood of Christ, whilst also remaining bread and wine?
transubstantiation
symbolic
Q4.Which invention allowed Luther to spread his ideas to a wide audience?
Which invention allowed Luther to spread his ideas to a wide audience?
the telephone
the telegram
the internet
Q5.Match the reform ideas to the correct person.
Match the reform ideas to the correct person.
Martin Luther
John Calvin
Huldrych Zwingli
Q6.Complete the sentence: Although there were several different versions of Protestantism in Europe at this time, version of Protestantism became the dominant one.
Complete the sentence: Although there were several different versions of Protestantism in Europe at this time, version of Protestantism became the dominant one.
Assessment exit quiz
Download quiz pdf
6 Questions
Q1.What keyword describes a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another when that person dies?
What keyword describes a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another when that person dies?
Q2.Which keyword means to declare something invalid?
Which keyword means to declare something invalid?
Q3.Complete the sentence: Henry VIII trying to get a divorce from Catherine of Aragon was known as the ' '.
Complete the sentence: Henry VIII trying to get a divorce from Catherine of Aragon was known as the ' '.
'King's Urgent Matter'
'Queen's Great Matter'
'King's Pressing Matter'
Q4.Why did Henry VIII want to divorce Catherine of Aragon?
Why did Henry VIII want to divorce Catherine of Aragon?
He had fallen in love with Jane Seymour.
She wanted to change her religion from Catholicism.
Q5.Why was Pope Clement VII not in a position to grant Henry VIII a divorce in 1527?
Why was Pope Clement VII not in a position to grant Henry VIII a divorce in 1527?
He did not want to risk a war with other Catholic European kings.
He was about to step down as pope and so did not have time.
A previous pope had had an argument with Henry so Clement did not want to help.
Q6.The failure of whom in securing Henry VIII's divorce led to their fall from power?
The failure of whom in securing Henry VIII's divorce led to their fall from power?
Pope Clement VII
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
Catherine of Aragon