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How did England divorce from Rome?

How did England divorce from Rome?

Henry's separation from the Catholic Church was far from a clean break. But how did he do it? And did he do it for religion, money, or power?

Composite image featuring a golden crucifix on the left and a black-and-white historical illustration of Henry VIII seated on a throne, addressing a kneeling man while members of his court look on

Charlotte Vosper

Published: November 2, 2026 at 9:13 AM

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How did Henry VIII actually break with Rome? And did he do it for religion, money, or power? As Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch explains in this episode, Henry's separation from the Catholic Church was far from a clean break. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Diarmaid reveals how the break with Rome happened, why the legislation was pushed through parliament, and whether we can call Henry's Church of England a Protestant one.

Authors

Charlotte VosperContent producer

Charlotte Vosper is a content producer at HistoryExtra