Final answer:
Henry VIII established the Church of England and declared it independent of the pope's authority after the Pope refused to annul his marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII created the Church of England, declaring it independent of the pope's authority. This led to the English Reformation and the consequential establishment of Protestantism in England.
Henry's move came after his marriage to Catherine failed to produce a male heir, which he deemed essential for a stable succession. The annulment was later granted by Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, further establishing the autonomy of the Church of England.