King Henry Viii In The English Reformation

The English Reformation is one of the most crucial turning points in the modernization of the medieval world. Through the Reformation, we see for the first time the limiting of power in the religious world and an increase of the power of the secular world. As a topic, the Reformation has continued to intrigue historians due to the complexity and the paradoxes that are found when one begins to dissect the topic. The role of King Henry VIII in the Reformation is one of the areas where scholars conflict the most. Prior to the 1960s scholarship held that Henry VIII was incredibly easily manipulated his advisors therefore the Reformation was mainly theirs, more recently however, scholarship has started to shift in favor of Henry taking a more prominent role. Some such as Bernard take the approach that it was Henry’s interest in theology that prompted the schism with Rome, while others such as Newcombe suggest that Henry’s quest for annulment was his only interest in reform.
Norman Sykes, an English theologian, takes the view that the cause of the Reformation was not solely
Most scholars contend that the religious reformation that occurred due to the split with the Papacy was unintended and was merely the answer to his seeking of an annulment. However there are some who very strongly suggest Henry was the only one who pushed for the split and that the Reformation overhauled the way people worshipped. Henry VIII is one of the most iconic monarchs of all time, and few people realize just how enigmatic and paradoxical of a nature he had. My study of the Reformation, has really highlighted that as hard as historians attempt to classify the English Reformation into one pigeonhole they ultimately fail. The English Reformation is one of the most unique events to ever occur, so there will continue to be great scholarly debate on the motives and driving force behind