he second son of Henry VII. He was born in 1491, became king in 1509 and died in 1547. Much of Henry's reign was dominated by his desire to produce a male heir. His first marriage produced a daughter, Mary.

In order to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn, Henry had to defy the Pope and make himself Head of the Church of England. The result was a second daughter, Elizabeth.

A son, Edward, was finally born to his third wife, Jane Seymour, who died in childbirth.