Henry I wasn’t supposed to be king. As the youngest son of William the Conqueror, he was expected to pursue a life of learning—not power. But when opportunity knocked in 1100 after his brother’s sudden death, Henry seized the crown with remarkable speed. Known for his sharp mind and political skill, he issued reforms, defeated rivals, and ruled longer than any king since the Conquest.

On June 11, 1509, 17-year-old Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess who had previously been wed to his late brother, Arthur. Their union began with promise—strengthening England’s alliance with Spain and uniting two respected royal houses. But years later, Catherine’s inability to produce a male heir and Henry’s desire for Anne Boleyn would turn this marriage into the catalyst for England’s break f rom the Catholic Church.