Which of the following triggered the formation of the Church of England?
a campaign to end corruption by Pope Paul III
Mary Tudor’s persecution of heretics
the birth of a daughter to Anne Boleyn
Henry VIII’s desire to end a marriage
The correct answer is Henry's desire to end a marriage.
The Church of England was formed because Henry wanted to dissolve himself of marriage to marry another, as Catherine (his wife at the time) bore him only a daughter, when he specifically wanted a male heir to the throne after him.
The Church of England was formed due to Henry VIII's desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon after the Pope denied his request, leading to legislative changes that appointed Henry as the head of the Church.
The formation of the Church of England was primarily triggered by Henry VIII's desire to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Henry VIII initially sought an annulment from the Pope, which was denied due to political complications including the influence of Catherine's nephew, Charles V, and concerns about papal authority. Consequently, Henry appointed Thomas Cranmer as archbishop of Canterbury who granted the annulment, thus allowing Henry to marry Anne Boleyn. In further defiance of the Pope, Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy in 1534, establishing Henry as the head of the Church of England and severing ties with the Catholic Church.