... the concentration of power that existed in the hands of the monarch and his or her immediate advisors, their motivation is key to understanding whether the change was inevitable. It is generally agreed that Henry VIII's motives were more personal and political, than religious. He wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, who may provide him with a male heir. Church wealth replenished the almost bankrupt Exchequer coffers, after unsuccessful wars. Whilst his motivation was largely personal, Henry did use the opportunity to make his own religious views more influential. At Henry's death the main articles of faith were still basically Catholic, but prayers and the litany were now in English and there was greater access to the Bible in English. On his accession to the throne, Edward and his advisers continued the move towards Protestantism. Whereas Henry had been raised a Catholic, Edward was born into a ...

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