Monarchy - S2 Ep2 - King and Emperor

Monarchy looks at the reign of Henry VIII through his marriage to Jane Seymour. As a second son, Henry was not expected to rule and was not educated in the rigors of kingship and lives a relatively carefree life. When his brother Arthur dies, he becomes the sole heir of the dynasty and is later crowned king. He marries Catherine of Aragon and later with the assistance of Thomas Wolsey sends his armies against France. Unfortunately his marriage does not produce an heir and the war in France though initially successful eventually bogs down. Henry becomes infatuated by Anne Boleyn and attempts to annul his marriage to Catherine. When the Church stalls the annulment, Henry rejects of papal supremacy and is declared Supreme Head of the Church of England. He secretly marries Anne Boylen and has his marriage to Catherine annulled. In response, the Pope excommunicates Henry. Sir Thomas More begins a campaign against Henry's accumulation of religious power, but he is eventually executed. Henry grows wealthy and powerful after he dissolves the monasteries, but his actions provoke a rebellions throughout England. When Anne Boleyn does not produce a male heir, Henry has her executed on trumped up charges of adultery. Henry marries Jane Seymour who gives birth to a male heir.