Final answer:
The English Reformation began due to Henry VIII's marital issues and led to the Church of England's formation, retaining some Catholic traditions. Henry VIII's children who ruled were Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, each impacting the church's religious direction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The English Reformation was distinct in that it began with Henry VIII's desire for an annulment from Catherine of Aragon to secure a male heir, leading to England's break from the Catholic Church. It was more political in nature compared to the doctrinal disputes that characterized the broader European Reformation. Unlike the rest of Europe, where the Reformation was largely driven by theological issues, the English Reformation was intertwined with Henry's personal need for a dynastic succession and his disputes with the papacy over his marriage to Catherine. This led to the establishment of the Church of England with the king as its supreme head, yet the church retained many traditional Catholic practices. Henry's children, in the order of their succession, were Edward VI, who furthered Protestant reforms; Mary I, who attempted to restore Catholicism and persecuted Protestants; and Elizabeth I, who established a moderate Protestant church that included both Catholics and Protestants.