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Why did the English Church remain true to Roman Catholic teaching and practice during Henry VII's reign?

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Final answer:

During Henry VII's reign, the English Church stayed close to Roman Catholic teaching largely due to Henry VIII's personal needs for a male heir, which led him to establish the Anglican Church while maintaining many Catholic practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The English Church, also known as the Anglican Church, remained closely aligned with Roman Catholic teaching and practice during Henry VII's reign primarily because of political and personal motivations. Henry VIII, initially a devout Catholic, only created the Church of England to secure an annulment from Catherine of Aragon, so he could marry Anne Boleyn and try for a male heir. Despite breaking away from the authority of the pope, Henry retained a significant part of Catholic doctrine and the church's ceremonial practices within the Anglican Church.

The doctrinal changes under Henry VIII were relatively minor. He dissolved the monasteries, which showcased some Protestant influence but maintained the hierarchical structure and much of the ritualized nature of the services akin to the Catholic tradition. The Anglican Church's theology, conduct of services, and liturgical structure thus continued to reflect its Catholic roots, until later reforms under Henry's successors pushed it more decisively towards Protestantism.

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