The Reformation - Year 8 History

Summary of Topic:

What caused Henry VIII to break away from the Catholic Church?

• Development of ‘Protestant’ ideas; role of Martin Luther; criticisms of Catholicism; similarities and differences with Catholicism. 
• Spread of Protestant ideas across Europe, Calvin.
• The Catholic response.
• Henry and the Reformation in England:
  o Personal and dynastic factors: Henry’s relations with Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, desire for a son
  o Wider geopolitical context: England, Spain and the Papacy
  o Power factors including the role of Thomas Cromwell and the role of parliament
  ​o Financial factors ​

Newspaper Articles:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39443101/henry-viii-clauses-and-how-1539-compares-to-2017
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/03/absurd-history-british-spanish-rivalry-henry-viii-gibraltarhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk/newsid_3498000/3498713.stm

Video Clips and Documentaries:

General overview 
Why was it so important to have a son?
Reasons for Henry VIII’s break with Rome
Why did Henry VIII divorce Catherine of Aragon?

Further Reading:

Click on the logos for further reading on this topic

Other Resources:

You will need your Doddle login to access these resources: 

• The Protestant Reformation
• The English Reformation
• Henry’s divorce
• Tudor family tree

Assessment/Test and Answer Sheet:

KPI 8.1.1: Explain the range of causes of the religious reformation in Europe and its impact on England

Guidance for secure: You will need to identify at least three reasons that people in England, Germany and other parts of Europe began to dislike and reject the Catholic church. You will then need to explain in clear paragraphs how these reasons led to ‘Protestantism’ becoming an alternative to Catholicism.

“One reason that people began to reject the Catholic Church was because…
This meant that they protested against…
Therefore, people became Protestants as a result of…
Etc.”

KPI 8.1.2: Evaluate the most important factor in Henry’s break with the RC church.

Guidance for secure: You will need to identify a number of reasons why Henry VIII decided to leave the Catholic Church and make the protestant Church of England. You will then need to explain which reason you think is the most important and why, comparing that reason against your other ones using evaluative language.

“In my opinion, the most important reason that Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church was…
This was extremely important because it meant that…

The second most important reason for Henry’s break was…
This was also very important because…
However, it was not as important as my first choice because…

The least important reason was…
Although it meant that Henry… it was not as important as… because…”