Succession · monarch of England
Why did Henry VIII of England succeed Henry VII of England?
Inheritance. Son — Henry VII's second son, heir since his brother Arthur's death in 1502.
The short answer
Henry VIII succeeded his father on 21 April 1509 without dispute: he had been heir apparent since his elder brother Arthur died in 1502. Within weeks he married Arthur's widow, Catherine of Aragon, under a papal dispensation — a marriage that later became the hinge of the English Reformation.
Who they were
Family relationship
Son — Henry VII's second son, heir since his brother Arthur's death in 1502.
How power passed
Inheritance
Key points
- Arthur, Prince of Wales, died on 2 April 1502, making Henry the heir
- Peaceful succession on Henry VII's death, 21 April 1509
- Married Catherine of Aragon in June 1509
Related family connections
Sources
- Henry VIII Accession and marriage dates
- Arthur, Prince of Wales Arthur's death in 1502
Explanation written and reviewed by HistorIQly · reviewed 2026-09-18. Part of House of Tudor. Background on Wikipedia.