Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/720

 6i4 • Outlines of European History Destruction of shrines and images for the benefit of the Icing's treasury Henry's third marriage and the birth of Edward VI burned. An old wooden figure which was revered in Wales was used to make a fire to burn an unfortunate friar who main- tained that in religious matters the Pope rather than the king should be obeyed. These acts resembled the Protestant attacks on images which occurred in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The main object of the king and his party was probably to get money, although the reason urged for the de- struction was the superstitious veneration in which the relics and images were popularly held. Henry's family troubles by no means came to an end with his marriage to Anne Boleyn. Of her, too, he soon tired, and three years after their marriage he had her executed on a series of monstrous charges. The very next day he married his third wife, Jane Seymour, who was the mother of his son and successor, Edward VI. Jane died a few days after her son's birth, and later Henry married in succession three other women who are historically unimportant since they left no children as claimants for the crown. Henry took care that his three children, ali of whom were destined to reign, should be given their due place in the line of inheritance by act of Parliament.^ His death in 1547 left the great problem of Protestantism and Catholicism to be settled by his son and daughters. Edward VI's ministers introduce Protestant practices Section 108. England becomes Protestant While the revolt of England against the papacy was carried through by the government at a time when the greater part of the nation was still Catholic, there was. undoubtedly, under Henry VHI, an ever-increasing number of aggressive and ardent Protestants who applauded the change. During the six 1 Henry VIII, m. (i) Catherine m. (2) Anne Boleyn, m. (3) Jane Seymour Mary (1553-1558) Elizabeth (1558-1603) Edward VI (1547-1553) It was arranged that the son was to succeed to the throne. In case he died without heirs, Mary and then Elizabeth were to follow.