King++Henry+VIII

media type="custom" key="3242506" Henry VIII was born on June 28th, 1491, as the third child and second son to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He was born at Greenwich Palace like all the Tudor monarchs. Henry was born into a family of 6 children, though only 3 survived infancy. His brother Arthur was the next in line to inherit the throne. He was born on September 19th, 1486 and died on April 2nd, 1502. Henry was not expected to ever take the throne, though Arthur’s death made him next in line. He as well had two sisters survive. Margaret was born on November 28th, 1489 and died October 18th, 1541 and his sister Mary was born on March 18th, 1496 and died on June 25th, 1533.

Henry’s older brother Arthur was first married to Catherine of Aragon. At the time of their wedding, Henry was ten years old. Their marriage lasted only four months before Arthur died. Catherine’s parents’ then wanted her betrothed to the next in line to inherit the throne. Which so happened to be Henry. Catherine’s and Henry’s marriage was prohibited by Leviticus because it was considered incest since Catherine was married to Henry’s brother. Catherine all her life denied every consummating the marriage. Both parties in this marriage (Spain and England) sought out the Pope’s permission before the marriage took place. They were married June 11th, 1509.

Arthur’s died in 1502 and Henry’s father died in 1509, leaving Henry as the next king at the mere age of seventeen. All his life afterwards was most known for his marital career.