Henry VIII's Reformation story
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Overview
Experience the Reformation in this illustrated and audio-narrated story. Learn about Westminster Abbey's origins as a Catholic monastery and about the lives of the monks who lived here. Then hear about the man who changed everything – King Henry VIII – and what decisions led to the dissolution of the monasteries, including Westminster Abbey. With animated illustrations and discussion questions, this resource will help bring the story of Henry VIII's Reformation to life for your students.
Learning objectives
- To understand that Westminster Abbey was established as a Catholic monastery and to learn about the lives of the monks who lived there
- To understand that Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church in order to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon and secure a male heir
- To learn that during the reign of Henry VIII Westminster Abbey was closed as part of the dissolution of the monasteries
- To consider why Westminster Abbey, as the place of coronation and of royal burial, survived being destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries
