[drstevej]

***What was he? Catholic? Lutheran? He founded the Anglican Church (and headed it).***

He most certainly did not found the Anglican Church. His daughter, Elizabeth did after Edward and Mary reigned.

Henry was Roman Catholic. Due to his marital "parade" he was severed from Rome but remained Catholic in doctrine. Upon his death Edward became king as a boy and was Reformed Protestant in theology. After his short reign, Mary returned England to Rome and vigorously persecuted Protestants (ergo - bloody Mary). After her Elizabeth became Queen.

Elizabeth, via the Elizabethan settlement, crreated the "church of the Middle Way" (Anglicanism) which was Protestant in theology but retained many Catholic liturgical elements. Her long reign solidified her settlement.

[Tuco Ramirez]

Henry persecuted Catholic clergy; he made himself the head of the "English Catholic Church?" (Anglican).

[AMDG&BVMH]

"vigorously persecuted Protestants "

and Elizabeth vigorously persecuted Catholics . . . just to complete your apt summary of the situation. ;)

Henry VIII, the earlier 'Defender of the Faith' did not believe he was doing anything but remaining Catholic, tho severing the Church in England from Rome and putting it under the crown -- he was wrong, of course, as you pointed out. Severed from Rome, the Church in England could only be what the crown and advisors to the crown demanded that it be.

Henry VIII also persecuted/supressed the monastaries and took possession so that he and his allies could benefit from the land and money. He also killed anyone who would not state that they accepted him as head of the church in England, re: St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More.

What an ugly bit of history thus came to pass, because Henry VIII could not satisfy himself with his first, long suffering wife. It is said he wanted a male heir; well, we know that gene comes from the father not the mother; so it was all, all in vain . . .