On this day in 1509, 500 years ago, Henry VIII was made King of England. He succeeded his father, Henry VII, the first in the House of Tudor. Many believe that Henry VII died of a broken heart after losing his first son, Arthur, in 1502, and then his wife, Elizabeth of York, in 1503.

Henry VIII ruled until his death on January 28, 1547, and was succeeded by his son, Edward VI. He is infamous for his six wives, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr, and for separating the Anglican church from the Roman hierarchy, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

More information can be found at EnglishHistory.com, Britannia.com, and Wikipedia.