Question

What role did Henry VIII play in curbing the power of the Pope?

Answer 1

King Henry VIII of England hardly cared for the Pope. He got the Church lands and in 1536 passed an Act for the dissolution of monasteries, whereby small monasteries with an income of less than £200 a year were closed and their buildings, land, and money were taken by the Crown. By another Act of 1539, larger monasteries were closed. Henry’s lavish lifestyle, along with his wars, had led to a lack of money. By destroying the monastic system, Henry could acquire all its wealth and property, while at the same time removing the influence of the Pope.