Episode Seven: Henry VIII And His State Church

This episode examines the court of King Henry VIII and the beginnings of the so called "Reformation" in England. Henry was at first a loyal devout Catholic and even wrote a treatise in defense of the Seven Sacraments in opposition to Luther's The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. However, Henry wanted a male heir and Queen Catherine had only given birth to a daughter. We look at Henry's friendship with Thomas More; how More would not support Henry’s divorce, which would end in More's execution as the King nationalises the Church in England. St Thomas More's loyalty to the Catholic Church would ultimately cost him his life, as Henry would brook no opposition.