King Henry VIII - Head of the Church of England

In 1535, King Henry VIII of England declared himself the head of the Church of England, formalising the split from the Catholic church. As a king, Henry was desperate for a son, as his father, Henry VII had been involved in Civil War, and he didn’t wish to see his country fight again so soon.

However, his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, only gave him a daughter (Mary). When the Pope refused to grant a divorce, Henry proclaimed himself the head of the Church, thus allowing him to divorce and marry his second wife, Anne Boleyn, who also gave him a daughter (Elizabeth).

It wouldn’t be until after he’d executed Anne for treason and married his third wife, Jane Seymour, that he’d finally get a son (Edward).