Today in History, June 11: 1509 – Unbeknownst to her, Catherine of Aragon takes her life in her own hands when she marries Henry the VIII, King of England, becoming his first wife. When Catherine failed to produce a male heir for the King, he divorced her, which was much more mild that the fate of two other wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) who he had executed for adultery when he grew bored of them. Henry’s first divorce set off the Protestant Reformation in England as the Catholic church would not sanction the divorce. 3 of his (all from different mothers) heirs would take turns on the throne, Edward VI, Mary, and finally Elizabeth I.
Mark Loves History! 