Thanks so much! I've drifted a bit from history in the past few years and miss it acutely - I will definitely check her out!!
I don't think he ever really wanted to leave Catholicism
I don't think so either. I think people tend to tell the story in terms of how Anne turned his head, only that's a skewed way to look at it and shows ignorance. I very much doubt he would've left Catholicism if it wasn't, for one, advantageous financially (in some ways, the broader consequences are another can of worms), and if there had been a way for him to secure the line, as you said. We can't forget who his father was and the complicated history that came before that famous schism, a history that must've been very glaring in Henry's mind (and with it the importance of securing his line on the throne).
The schism is on my list to listen to. I'm currently on a diversion with Boudica, though.
I haven't looked into Henry's father yet. Eva is currently releasing a series on Eleanor of Aquitaine with the latest being about Henry II and Thomas Becket, so I've jumped back to an even earlier Henry.
Ohhh both of those (Boudica and Eleanor) should be really fun!! Can't wait.
Her Boudica series is called Warrior Queen 😁