Henry VIII

Henry VIII was king of England during the early to mid 16th century. Never before in history were religion and politics so intertwined than in England during his reign. In 1528 Henry VIII demanded a divorce from his wife Catherine of Aragon. At this time England was a Catholic nation and as such Henry had to receive the divorce from the Pope. The Pope refused his request and in a fit of anger, Henry decided to create his own church, the Church of England or the Anglican Church. He was then free to divorce as pleased. The Anglican Church survives to this day as the main religion in England. Personally I find it interesting that a religion which is basically the Catholic Church, and which was founded by a gluttonous womanizer who beheaded or divorced 5 of his 6 wives could still survive today. Just saying.