ABSTRACT
King of England whose reign introduced the cultural Renaissance and religious Reformation into England. Henry VIII also increased the power and importance of Parliament, a legislative body that over the succeeding centuries assumed control of the English government. Henry enlarged and fortified the English realm by annexing Wales, becoming king of Ireland, and defeating the armies of the Scottish kings. Under Henry’s rule, the Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church, setting the stage for centuries of civil war between Catholics and Protestants in England. He is widely regarded as one of the most important rulers in English history.
