Final answer:
The conversion of England from Catholicism to Protestantism was primarily initiated by Henry VIII, who established the Church of England with himself as the head following his desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conversion to Protestantism in England
The primary figure responsible for the conversion of England from Catholic to Protestant was Henry VIII. His desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn led to a break with the Roman Catholic Church. Henry VIII's establishment of a new, Protestant state religion began with the passage of significant legislation - the Act in Restraint of Appeals and the Act of Submission of the Clergy. These acts essentially made the king the supreme head of the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. The Church maintained many Catholic traditions, but Henry made some doctrinal revisions and dissolved monasteries to bolster the royal treasury. Following Henry VIII, his children Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I influenced the religious direction of England, with Edward promoting Protestant reforms, Mary attempting to restore Catholicism, and Elizabeth seeking a moderate balance that favored Protestantism while asking for outward conformity from her subjects.