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Henry's childhood was very laidback until his older brother, Arthur died in 1503. As soon as Arthur died, Henry's life changed drastically. He began to learn the ways of being a king. The first few changes in Henry's life came almost immediately. His father gained permission from church officials to have Henry marry his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon, (he was 12 at the time, she was 17). This was done to secure power for England's throne in the future. .
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In 1509, Henry's father dies and Henry becomes King of England. Henry inherits a kingdom that is doing very well both politically and economically. He faces no hardships as he becomes king, but with time this all would change. As a king, Henry was never interested in the political and business aspects. He appointed Thomas Wolsey as his Chancellor. Wolsey basically runs the government for Henry during Henry's first half of reign. Henry would give Wolsey his opinion on foreign affairs and would have him do all the work. Henry involved England in many fruitless campaigns versus England's archrival, France. Throughout the first half of Henry's reign, Henry embarks on campaigns that accomplish nothing except draining his once abundant treasury. .
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The Second half of Henry's reign is what makes him famous. Henry was married to Catherine, while he had a mistress, Anne Boleyan. Henry is unable to get a male heir from Catherine and he impregnates Anne. Henry becomes more and more restless with Catherine. He finally decides that he needs to end hid marriage with Catherine, peacefully. He does not want to cause a conflict with France, Catherine's native land. Henry sends Wolsey, his chancellor, to go before Pope Clement II and ask him to grant Henry VIII permission to nullify his marriage with Catherine and divorce her so that he can marry Anne. .
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Wolsey is unable to obtain permission from the Pope and is fired, arrested, and replaced. This shows how ruthless Henry was when anything stood in the way of his goal.