Attempts at the annulment

• In 1527, still desperate for a son, Henry asked the pope for annulment so he could marry Anne Boleyn
• Henry claims that his marriage is cursed as it went against the biblical teaching of Leviticus
• As Cardinal and a Papal legate Wolsey and a huge influence in Rome. He tried to use his influence to gain the annulment. Wolsey assumed the pope would want to help Henry. This failed because…

  1. Charles was the nephew of Catherine of Aragon
  2. The risk of upsetting Charles was too much for the pope.
• Wolsey looked to the bible. Catherine and Henry could marry due to the dispen from the pope but that shouldn’t have been allowed due to Leviticus which states that a man should not marry his brother’s wife. This failed because…

  1. it would be embarrassing for the pope to admit a mistake
  2. Deutronomy- stating a man could marry his brother’s widow and have children.
  3. Catherine says her and Arthur were not properly married as the they did not consummate
• Wolsey tried to get the annulment by stating the marriage was invalid because it wasn’t worded correctly. This failed because Catherine’s supporters found a Spanish version.
• Finally Wolsey persuaded the pope for a trial. The pope sends cardinal campeggio to rule with Wolsey. This failed because the pope told the cardinal campeggio to not reach a decision and the court ended without a verdict.