Final answer:
Henry VII consolidated power and fostered exploration, while his son, Henry VIII, broke with the Catholic Church to form the Church of England, seeking a male heir and ultimately fathering Edward through his third wife, Jane Seymour.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before his death, Henry VII established England as a significant political force, diminished the influence of the aristocracy, and initiated overseas exploration. His son, Henry VIII, initially a devout Catholic opposing the Reformation, was desperate for a male heir. His marriage to Catherine of Aragon produced only a daughter, Mary, leading Henry to seek an annulment after Catherine failed to produce a son. The Pope's refusal to annul the marriage prompted Henry to create the Church of England, divorce Catherine, and marry Anne Boleyn in hopes of a male heir. Eventually, Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, gave birth to Edward. Henry also dissolved the monasteries to acquire wealth for his treasury and passed succession acts to secure his lineage.
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