King Henry VIII is a famous king in English history. He ruled England from 1509 until his death in 1547. He is known for having six wives and creating the Church of England.
Henry was born in 1491 and was the second son of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He was not supposed to be king, but after his older brother died, he became next in line for the throne. He became king when he was just 18 years old.
When Henry was young, he was well-liked by the people. He was good at sports, music, and poetry. In 1509, he married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. She was the widow of Henry's older brother Arthur, and they were married to strengthen the alliance between England and Spain.
Henry wanted a son to become the next king, but Catherine didn't give him one. This made Henry very unhappy, so he wanted to divorce Catherine and marry someone else. But the Pope wouldn't let him. So, Henry created the Church of England and made himself the head of it. This caused a lot of changes in England.
During his reign, Henry married five more times. He had two of his wives executed for treason. Despite his reputation, he achieved a lot during his reign. He built a palace and strengthened the English navy, which became very powerful.
Henry VIII died on this day 21st April 1547. He left behind a complicated legacy. He is known for his six marriages and creating the Church of England. Even today, his legacy is still felt in English society and culture.
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