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Verdict of Annulment of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

1533

The 1533 court verdict by Thomas Cranmer declaring Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon void.

This verdict formally ended Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, clearing the way for his marriage to Anne Boleyn.

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Photograph of a large medieval parchment document with handwritten Latin text in black ink, decorated initial letters, and red wax seal fragments at the top left. Several ornamental knotwork seal or signature designs appear down the left margin.
Thomas Cranmer's verdict of annulment of the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, 1533.

About this source

What it is

This parchment document records the court verdict issued by Thomas Cranmer in 1533, declaring the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon annulled. It is written in Latin with decorated initials and carries seal fragments.

Why it matters

This verdict was the decisive legal step in the "Great Matter," Henry's long struggle to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn. It marked a turning point that led to England's break from the authority of the Pope and the creation of the Church of England, with Cranmer acting as the key churchman carrying out Henry's wishes.

Look closer

  • Why would a legal document need official seals and decoration?
  • What does the involvement of a church court tell you about the relationship between religion and royal power at this time?
  • What might this document leave out about Catherine of Aragon's own views?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Henry VIII on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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