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Difficulty: MediumHenry VIII and the Reformation

To establish independent authority over religious matters and secure a male successor, Henry VIII finalized the break with the Roman Catholic Church in 1534. What specific title did he assume as a result of this separation?

  1. Supreme Head of the Church of EnglandAnswer
  2. B
    Lord Protector of the Commonwealth
  3. C
    Defender of the Catholic Papacy
  4. D
    High Chancellor of the Exchequer

Answer

The correct answer is Supreme Head of the Church of England, which was the title Henry VIII took to formalize his authority over the new national church.
Through the Act of Supremacy in 1534, Henry VIII officially broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and assumed the title 'Supreme Head of the Church of England'. This allowed him to control religious laws in England and move forward with his plans for succession and remarriage without the Pope's approval.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary motivation for the religious shift.
Henry VIII needed a male heir and sought an annulment from Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn.
The Pope's refusal to grant this annulment triggered the break from Roman authority.
2
Identify the legal change that occurred in 1534.
The Act of Supremacy was passed by Parliament.
This act legally separated the English Church from the Roman Catholic Church.
3
Determine the specific title assumed by the King.
The King became the 'Supreme Head of the Church of England'.
This title confirmed that the monarch, not the Pope, was the ultimate authority over religious matters in England.

Key Concept

The Act of Supremacy and the establishment of the monarch as the head of the English Church.

Practice More

Review the roles of Henry VIII's children, Edward VI and Mary I, to see how the religious character of England shifted back and forth after his death.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Henry VIII and the Reformation

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