Birth of King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491, at Greenwich Palace, London, to King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.
1491
1509
Ascension to the Throne
King Henry VIII ascended to the throne on April 21, 1509, following the death of his father, King Henry VII.
1509
Marriage to Catherine of Aragon
King Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon on June 11, 1509. She was the widow of his brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales.
1513
Battle of the Spurs
King Henry VIII led an English army to victory against the French at the Battle of the Spurs, part of the War of the League of Cambrai.
1514
Birth of Mary Tudor
Mary Tudor, the daughter of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, was born on February 18, 1516. She later became Mary I of England.
1521
Defender of the Faith
Pope Leo X awarded King Henry VIII the title "Defender of the Faith" for his opposition to Martin Luther's Reformation.
1527
Divorce from Catherine of Aragon
King Henry VIII sought to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, initiating the process that would eventually lead to the English Reformation.
1533
Marriage to Anne Boleyn
King Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn on January 25, 1533, after the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
1533
Birth of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I, daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, was born on September 7, 1533.
1534
Act of Supremacy
The Act of Supremacy was passed, declaring King Henry VIII the Supreme Head of the Church of England, marking the formal break from the Roman Catholic Church.
1536
Execution of Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn was executed on May 19, 1536, on charges of adultery, treason, and incest. King Henry VIII then married Jane Seymour.
1537
Birth of Edward VI
Edward VI, the son of King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, was born on October 12, 1537. He later became King of England.
1540
Marriage to Anne of Cleves
King Henry VIII married Anne of Cleves on January 6, 1540, but the marriage was annulled six months later.
1540
Marriage to Catherine Howard
King Henry VIII married Catherine Howard on July 28, 1540. She was executed for adultery in 1542.
1543
Marriage to Catherine Parr
King Henry VIII married his sixth and final wife, Catherine Parr, on July 12, 1543.
1547
Death of King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII died on January 28, 1547, at the age of 55. He was succeeded by his son, Edward VI.
