Who Did Henry VIII Marry When He Was 18?

Henry VIII, the infamous King of England, married Catherine of Aragon when he was just 18 years old. This union would not only shape his personal life but also have a significant impact on the course of English history.

Catherine of Aragon was the youngest surviving daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Born in 1485, she was a Spanish princess who came to England in 1501 to marry Arthur, Prince of Wales, Henry's older brother. However, Arthur tragically died shortly after their wedding, leaving Catherine a widow.

Years later, when Henry VIII ascended to the throne, he decided to marry Catherine himself. The marriage took place on June 11, 1509, with Henry being 18 years old and Catherine 23. This union was initially seen as a love match, and there was hope for a prosperous reign.

Despite their initial happiness, the marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine was ultimately tumultuous and filled with unfortunate circumstances. They had six children, but only one survived infancy – Mary, who would later become Queen Mary I.

Henry's desperation for a male heir led him to pursue an annulment of his marriage to Catherine. He believed that their union was cursed and that it violated religious laws due to Catherine previously being married to his deceased brother. This desire for an annulment eventually led to the English Reformation, as Henry broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England.

Henry VIII's quest for a male heir and his dissatisfaction with Catherine ultimately led him to marry six times throughout his life. After the annulment of his marriage to Catherine, he went on to marry Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.

In conclusion, Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon when he was 18 years old. Their marriage was initially happy, but it ultimately led to a significant shift in English history as Henry's desire for an annulment led to the establishment of the Church of England. This union set the stage for Henry's subsequent marriages and the turbulent reign that followed.

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