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Originally Posted by Elspeth
The actions of these popes were very political considering they were supposed to be more concerned about spiritual matters. Not only was there the issue of whether Hnery could marry Catherine in the first place, but then when he wanted an annulment the Pope was more concerned not to upset the Holy Roman Emperor, who was Catherine's nephew.
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You're right, of course when it comes to the political motives. But one should not forget that Henry VIII. lived in a time when belief had a much higher ranking in one's personal actions than it has today. Kings, in their belief that they were made "by the Grace of God" the most powerful people within their realm, tended to behave accordingly when dealing with their subjects. While interaction within their own rank often was often determined by the view that it was God's wish if they won and if they lost.
Just remember how long Elizabeth I. hesitated before ordering Mary Stuart's death. Mary, like her, was a consacrated queen and Elizabath was afraid that she would set a precedence. Which she did! At least I don't buy the idea of a coincidence when it comes to the killing of king Charles I., Mary's grandson, during the Glorious Revolution.
So I guess Henry really believed that it was a sign of God that he couldn't have a son with Catherine of Aragon. And that he took it as a sign from heaven that Anna became pregnant so quickly in the interval between his annulment and their marriage that she was already pregnant when they married. And he only signed her death warrant after she had born a stillborn son...
Just my opinion, of course but I simply cannot imagine a man from the Renaissance to be so cool when it came to creating a new church.
