Henry VIII (1491-1547) was King of England from 1509 until his death. He is famous for his six marriages and efforts to annul his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon. A dispute with Pope Clement VII over this led to the English Reformation. This event separated the Church of England from papal control. Henry declared himself its head and dissolved monasteries, resulting in his excommunication. He significantly changed the Constitution of England, boosting royal power and promoting the idea of the divine right of kings. This was in direct opposition to papal supremacy. Henry often accused people of treason and heresy to silence opposition. Many faced execution without trial. His chief ministers, including Thomas Wolsey, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, and Thomas Cranmer, helped achieve his goals. However, they were often removed or executed if they fell out of favour. Henry was a lavish spender, using funds from the Reformation and monastery dissolutions. He turned payments to Rome into royal income. Despite this, he often faced financial trouble due to his extravagance and costly wars, especially against Francis I of France, Charles V, James V of Scotland, and the Scottish regency led by Earl of Arran and Mary of Guise. He founded the Royal Navy, annexed Wales, and became the first King of Ireland. Contemporaries viewed Henry as attractive, educated, and accomplished. He was called “one of the most charismatic rulers” and his reign was “the most important” in English history. In addition to ruling, he was an author and composer. However, he became severely overweight with age, leading to health issues. Later in life, he was seen as lustful, egotistical, paranoid, and tyrannical. He was succeeded by his son Edward VI.