After Arthur’s Passing: Katherine’s Marriage and the Controversial Claim by Henry

Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, faced significant challenges beginning from the death of her first husband, Arthur Tudor. Seven years after Arthur’s death, Katherine remarried, uniting with a new husband. This article delves into the identity of this new husband and the controversy that his marriage to Katherine sparked.

Henry VIII: The New Husband

In the year following Arthur’s passing, Katherine remarried to Henry VIII, Arthur’s half-brother and the future King of England. The marriage between Katherine and Henry was not without its hurdles, as it required a papal dispensation. This decision led to an interesting turn of events, one that would profoundly impact the religious and political landscape of England.

The Controversy and Legal Challenges

Twenty-four years after the marriage, in 1527, Henry claimed that because he and Katherine had been married to each other, it made their marriage invalid. This argument centered around the Bible, specifically the book of Leviticus, chapter 20, verse 21, which states, If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an act of incest, and they must be cut off from their people. Henry’s argument that their marriage had been consummated meant that the Pope, who had issued the dispensation previously, could not rescind it without appearing to have acted wrongly.

This claim placed Henry in a difficult position. He needed the annulment to marry Anne Boleyn, a move that required the Pope's approval. However, the Pope was in a delicate situation due to the powerful position of Emperor Charles V, Katherine’s nephew, who was at the time occupying Rome. Fearing to offend the Emperor, the Pope declined to grant the annulment, much to Henry's frustration.

The Split from the Catholic Church and the Rise of the Church of England

Henry’s decision to remain married to Katherine, and later to seek an annulment, was a pivotal moment that led to the break with the Catholic Church. This action marked the beginning of the English Reformation, which eventually resulted in the establishment of the Church of England. The new church was initially conservative and Catholic in nature, but it was run by the King himself, who later divorced Katherine to marry Anne Boleyn.

Conclusion

The marriage between Katherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, while a crucial turning point in English history, also brought into question the validity of their union and the political and religious landscape of the time. This controversial matter not only shaped the future of the English monarchy but also influenced the development of the Church of England. The story of Katherine and Henry remains a testament to the complex nature of royal marriages and religious conflicts during the Tudor era.