Final answer:
King Henry VIII rejected the Catholic Church's authority primarily to obtain an annulment from Catherine of Aragon and ensure a male heir, leading to the establishment of the Church of England with him as its head.
Step-by-step explanation:
King Henry VIII's Rejection of the Catholic Church's Authority
King Henry VIII's main reason for rejecting the authority of the Catholic Church was his desire for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which the Pope refused to grant. As Henry strongly desired a male heir to prevent succession crises and ensure the stability of the Tudor dynasty, he took drastic measures to achieve his goals. The rejection of the Catholic Church's authority led to the creation of the Church of England, with the monarch as its head. This decision also had significant economic implications, as Henry dissolved the monasteries and appropriated their wealth.
Significance of Religious Reformation in England
While seeking to produce a male heir, Henry VIII's religious reformation was driven mostly by political reasons. He relied on the advice of Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell to enact the Act in Restraint of Appeals and the Act of Submission of the Clergy, which together established the monarch's supremacy over religious matters in England.