Henry VIII (Kings & Queens)

Henry VIII became king of England in 1509, after the death of his father, Henry VII, and his older brother, Arthur. He reigned for thirty-eight years, and is best known for having married six wives. At first, Henry was handsome, rich and extremely popular with ordinary people. He married his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon, and they stayed together for more than twenty years. However, Henry longed for a son to follow him, and this led to his later marriages, and his break with the Catholic Church. There was also constant war and cruel persecutions. Despite this, Henry VIII is remembered as a powerful ruler who unified England.