3 November – Henry VIII’s supremacy of the English church and the death of Sir John Perrot

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd November 1534, Parliament passed the First Act of Supremacy, establishing King Henry VIII's supremacy of the English church and rejecting the authority of the pope.

In this talk, I share what the act said and I explain that it didn't actually make him head of the church, just confirmed the fact, and goes on to share the oath that people had to take and what it meant if they refused.

It was an important act in the break with Rome and the English Reformation.

Also on this day in Tudor history, 3rd November 1592, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, privy councillor and former Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir John Perrot, died at the Tower of London.

Perrot is a fascinating Tudor man who survived being a Protestant and protecting 'heretics' in Mary I's reign, and who was saved six times from serious punishment by Queen Elizabeth I's intercession.

Some people believe that this favour, and a few other factors, point to him being King Henry VIII's illegitimate son.

You can find out more about Perrot and the arguments for and against him being Henry VIII's son, in this video...