Final answer:
Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn after his annulment from Catherine of Aragon, which was granted by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer despite the pope's refusal. Anne Boleyn was later executed, and his third wife, Jane Seymour, bore him a son. This led to the creation of the Church of England and the English Reformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry VIII of England sought an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which Pope Clement VII refused on several grounds. These included the political implications involving Catherine's nephew Charles V and the risk of suggesting papal fallibility during a time of Protestant criticism. Despite the pope's refusal, Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, granted the annulment, thus allowing Henry to marry Anne Boleyn in 1533. Unfortunately, Anne did not provide the male heir Henry desired and was eventually executed. Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, finally bore him a son, Edward, who became the heir to the throne.
Henry's annulment from Catherine and subsequent marriage to Anne played a critical role in shaping the religious structure of England. Henry asserted his authority and broke away from the Catholic Church, leading to the establishment of the Church of England, with the English monarch as its spiritual leader. This shift initiated the English Reformation and altered the course of English history and religion.