word formation 6

How one divorce changed history

The Catholic Monarchs ruled the Iberian Peninsula —not yet Spain— during the later part of the 15th century. Among their many political maneuvers and military (1) _______________, they are remembered for finishing the Reconquista, supporting Columbus on his ambitions and creating the first modern state of Europe.

Despite the (2) _______________ of theses successes, it was their last daughter Catherine that had a more profound impact on Europe’s geopolitics. And religion, mainly religion.

The Catholic Monarchs married off their children to the most important royal families of Europe, and Catherine was wed to Henry VIII of England. While she was loved by the people, she didn’t have her husband’s (3) _______________ who showed (4) _______________ interest in her court ladies, particularly the Boleyn Sisters.

The marriage was not (5) _______________, and they birthed a girl, who will become Mary I of England. However, in those times a girl was not considered the most (6) _______________ for a ruling position.

Henry petitioned the Pope for an (7) _______________ of his marriage but The Holy See declined his request. As a result, Henry declared himself Head of the Church of England and broke away from Rome. He divorced Catherine, adopted the Protestan Reformation that was revamping Europe and ushered an era of (8) _______________ wars that lasted for centuries.