History of Europe

Who succeed Henry viii and what their religious stance?

Edward VI

Religious Stance: Protestant

Upon Henry VIII's death in 1547, his 9-year-old son, Edward VI, assumed the throne. Under the influence of powerful Protestant advisors, particularly the Duke of Somerset, England underwent significant religious changes during Edward's reign. The Protestant Reformation gained momentum, leading to the establishment of the Church of England as a separate entity from the Roman Catholic Church. The Act of Supremacy (1549) declared the King to be the supreme head of the Church of England, replacing the authority of the Pope. Religious reforms included the use of English in church services, the simplification of rituals, and the dissolution of monastic institutions. Edward VI's reign marked a crucial shift towards Protestantism in England.