King Henry VIII
Henry VIII- the king of England during the 1600’s was well known for his attack on the monasteries – known as the dissolution of the monasteries in England. The monasteries were seen as being a cornerstone of Papal authority in England and Wales. After new rules were introduced into England that ended the Pope’s authority during the early 1530’s, the monasteries became the major point of the king’s attack as it was assumed that they would remain loyal to the Pope.